Maybeline Lopez will be moving into her new role as the Director of Early Learning this July. She is currently the WSD’s Act 166 Coordinator and Preschool Director.
Throughout her years of service to the district, the Preschool program has greatly benefited from Maybeline’s compassion, intelligence, and fierce advocacy for students and families.
“Maybeline has worked tirelessly so that our preschool-aged students receive the best educational opportunities available. She is completely committed to the students and families of Winooski and will continue to work hard to improve and expand our Pre-K program so that it meets the needs of the Winooski community. Maybeline is a skilled educator and will bring her exceptional skills into her new role. Her focus on equity and setting high expectations will continue to improve outcomes for all of our students,” said Katherine Blair, Director of Support Services.
For those of you who don’t know Maybeline already, we asked her a few questions so you can get to know her better.
Please tell us a little bit about your background and what inspired you to work in education?
My family is originally from Puerto Rico and immigrated to NYC. I moved to Burlington Vermont where I attended Edmunds Middle School. I participated in the Upward Bound Program, where I met my mentor who was also from Puerto Rico. The connection we made, the shared values and beliefs we had, and her compassion and dedication to my educational success significantly influenced my future accomplishments. Understanding firsthand the impact an educator can have on a student’s life is why I wanted to become a teacher.
I graduated from the University of Vermont (UVM) with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I used my teaching degree to independently teach and operate a Registered Childcare Enrichment Program. I became an approved Specialized Child Care Services Provider which allowed me to support and educate children with diverse needs and abilities. I became passionate about supporting and advocating for children and families with various needs leading me to continue my studies at UVM in the Early Childhood Special Education master’s program. To gain more experience in this field I worked for the Burlington School District as a Behavioral Interventionist.
Upon graduation, I was offered an Early Childhood Special Education position at the Winooski School District as District Evaluator and ACT 62 Coordinator in 2012.
How long have you been working at the WSD?
I have worked at the WSD for 10 years. During my time in Winooski, I have performed multiple roles: District Evaluator, Special Educator, ESY Director/teacher, Coordinator of Act 166, and my present position as Program Director & Early Learning Coordinator. I am a member of the WSD Antiracism Steering Committee, committing to equity and inclusion by valuing the importance of acknowledging diverse perspectives and experiences in Winooski.
In preparation for my current position, I completed the Snelling Center for Government: Early Childhood Leadership Institute in 2018. During this experience, I gained leadership skills and deeper knowledge of early childhood issues in Vermont. With the advancement of Vermont Licensing Regulations for Preschool Programs and Publicly Funded Prekindergarten, I went on to obtain my Program Director Credential.
Providing high-quality early childhood education for our community has been a priority for me. With this, and the continued support and encouragement from staff, students, and the community, I continued to expand my knowledge in the education field and am in my final year to complete my second master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Saint Michael’s College.
What is your vision for the future of the PreK program?
I believe that investing in early childhood education can positively impact a child’s development and future success. Through collaborative work with the district and community, I plan to create inclusive environments and equitable learning opportunities for all children to thrive. Starting next year, I will be working on expanding preschool opportunities for children to receive equitable high-quality early education.
I am very excited about my new role as the Early Learning Director and to continue my work at WSD to ensure a child-centered education of high expectations and student support.
What do you do for fun?
I am the lucky parent of three amazing boys and we enjoy outdoor activities as well as frequent family celebrations.