Karen Burns English

Karen Burns started at the Vinalhaven School 4 years ago as an Island Institute fellow working in the Performing Arts. After working as the full time Drama teacher for three years, she is very excited to be working in the 9-12 English Classroom. Karen got her B.A. from Amherst College in 2002, with a double major in English and Psychology. She got a M.A.T. (Masters of Arts in Teaching) in Secondary English from the University of Maine in 2007. She is the advisor for National Honor Society. She is on the High School Team and the Vinalhaven School Enrichment Committee.

Mark Jackson Vocational Technology

Meg Lyons Science

Meg Lyons is in her second year of teaching at Vinalhaven. Originally from Vermont, Meg attended college at Clarkson University in New York, where she majored in Environmental Science and Policy. After college she spent a summer in Steamboat Springs, CO working on a Nature Conservancy ranch, returned to Vermont for the winter then made her way back out west. For about 3 years, Meg lived in Durango, CO and worked around the Four Corners area, bringing Place-Based Education to elementary and middle school students. She enjoyed tons of hiking, boating, camping and skiing in the wild west, honing her tele skiing skills and her cache of pirate jokes. In the summer of 2006, Meg took the high school science teaching job and relocated with her dog, Zoe, to Vinalhaven, where she still tries to enjoy as much outdoor time as she can. Meg is a member of the high school team, the super science curriculum team, reads with the Girl's Point of View Book Club, coached the fall cross-country running team, and hopes to start a spring track club.

Jessica McGreevy Math

Jess McGreevy is thoroughly enjoying her first year teaching high school math.  Originally from Buckfield, Jess attended high school at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone.  Jess earned a B.A. in Mathematics in her undergraduate career, attending Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maine at Farmington and the University of Southern Maine.  Jess is an avid softball enthusiast, and hopes that sometime in the near future Vinalhaven will be the home to a top notch softball organization.  Currently, Jess is a member of the high school team, the mathematics curriculum team, the math team coach, and she can often be found cheering on the Vikings from the sidelines. 

Susan Philbrook French

Susan Philbrook is enjoying her 5th year as the K-12 French teacher at Vinalhaven School.  Originally from Davis, California, she attended the University of Maine at Orono where she played on the university soccer team and majored in French.  She has a degree in French and a Master of Arts in Teaching in French.   She is the Girls Varsity soccer coach, the French club advisor, and the High School Team Leader.  She also is part of the Sports Done Right Committee and the Girls Book Club and a member of the Discovery Curriculum Team.   Besides teaching and soccer, Susan enjoys traveling, running, painting, sewing.

Jud 'The' Raven Social Studies

Jud Raven majored in Medieval History at the University of Maine, Orono with a minor in German.  He spent a year studying abroad at the University of Salsburg in Salzburg Austria.  Jud received his teaching certificate through the University of Southern Maine's Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP). After teaching history for eight years at McDougle Middle School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Jud returned to Maine and taught history for a year at Narragaugus High School in Harrington, Maine.  Jud moved to Vinalhaven three years ago when he became the high school social studies teacher.    Jud enjoys canoeing, hiking, backpacking, strategy games, and photography.  He is a member of the SEED Team and social studies curriculum team and started the Fencing Club at Vinalhaven School.

Missy Warren 6-12 Special Education

Missy has always enjoyed working with children.   She began her teaching career as an assistant at Little Hands Nursery School.  When her daughter entered kindergarten in 2001, volunteering in Vinalhaven School’s elementary wing (on almost a daily basis) became her new passion.  In 2004, she accepted a position as an Ed Tech for the elementary wing.  Sherry Petersen, the second grade teacher at the time, inspired her to finish her bachelor’s degree.  With the support of her husband and children, Missy returned to college the summer of 2003.  She graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta in May, 2006.  That summer, she accepted the position of Special Education Teacher for Vinalhaven School’s middle and high school students.    She considers the position to be challenging yet very rewarding.   In her “spare time,” Missy enjoys spending time with her family and her horses.  

Yvonne Thomas K-12 Guidance Counselor/ High School Health

Yvonne Thomas has worked at the Vinalhaven School for the past seven years. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College and a Master’s degree from Lesley University. She is a member of the Leadership Team, the High School Team, the Wellness Team and the CoSeed Team.