CES Educator Receives Award

CASTLETON — For Castleton Elementary School Education Support Professional (ESP) Linda Corliss, teaching and supporting kids doesn’t get old.

This month, Corliss was announced as the 2025 Vermont National Education Association’s ESP of the Year — an award that acknowledges excellent ESPs across the state.

Corliss shared that she was nominated by Helen Alexander, a teacher at Fair Haven Union High School and former coworker of Corliss’ at the now-closed Castleton Village School.

“I had no idea until I got a notification from the Vermont NEA that my nomination had been accepted and that they encouraged me to apply. So, I filled out the application process, and here we are,” Corliss said.

As a result of her receipt of the award, Corliss’ application has been sent on to the national pool of applicants. The national awardee will be announced prior to the NEA’s national ESP conference in March.

A full-time ESP at Castleton Elementary for 32 years and a substitute for three years prior to that, Corliss said her journey into education was facilitated by her children.

“I was blessed with the opportunity of being able to be in school a lot. I ran an in-home daycare and once all the children got to be school age, I really kind of just was here (at school) all the time,” she said. “People would just start saying, ‘You should sub.’ And it just naturally felt like that’s what I should do.”

Corliss added she fell in love with the work and the ability to learn something new every day — something she has adapted into a workplace motto.

In her tenure, Corliss has worked with kindergartners to eighth-graders and cited her love for challenging students and working in an environment where teachers are supportive of her involvement in the classroom.

She is the district’s mentor coordinator, spearheading the professional development of each school’s mentors, and frequently helps with in-service and establishing a culture of excellence and professionalism.

“(Linda) has been quite an asset to the team. I’m glad she hasn’t retired yet, and I hope she doesn’t (anytime soon,)” CES Assistant Principal of Student Services Bonnie Lenihan said with a laugh. “People are very comfortable going to her, (knowing) their questions will be answered. If she doesn’t know the answer, she’ll find out. She’s well-connected throughout the district and the state for all her experiences.”

Joined by a group of fourth-graders in the CES conference room on Tuesday, Corliss fought back tears as students spewed compliments about their beloved classroom support.

“She’s an amazing reader at snack time,” a student named Grady said. “She reads to us, and I really like that.”

Another student shot up her hand to add that Corliss always uses voices and expressions for her book characters, making the activity extra special.

Paige, another fourth-grader, said Corliss has helped her learn math and understand related concepts in a very neat way.

“I like at the end of the day when the car riders head outside, she has these multiplication cards (for the bus people). If you finish one of the decks, she gives you a gummy pack,” Grady said with a giddy smile.

Yet another student recalled knowing Corliss would be a good teacher from the very first moment they met.

In the award notification letter from VT-NEA President Don Tinney, he shared that Corliss’ volunteering in school and beyond, work with annual staff salary negotiations and advocacy are among the traits that made her stand out as a candidate for this award.

“I just love (my job),” Corliss said. “Here I am, 32 years later, and still loving it. ... I could have retired a long time ago, but I just enjoy being involved.”

sophia.buckley-clement @rutlandherald.com