Presenters:

• Tia Tallman is the Transition Program Manager at HireAbility Vermont, where she leads initiatives supporting youth with disabilities in building career readiness skills and navigating the transition from school to employment. She has over 14 years of experience working with youth and families impacted by trauma and disability across school and community-based settings. Tia is passionate about creating person-centered, equitable pathways that empower young people to explore their strengths, access meaningful opportunities, and achieve long-term success. Her work focuses on expanding access to career development experiences and strengthening partnerships that support positive postsecondary outcomes for Vermont youth.
• Lauren Hood manages the Pre-ETS program for the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC). Lauren has a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a B.S. in English, Secondary Education with a minor in Special Education. Before coming to VSAC nearly 5 years ago, Lauren served as an English Teacher at an alternative therapeutic middle and high school for 6 years. Lauren is experienced in creating student-centered, interest-based curriculum that integrates accommodations and goals based on students’ IEP and 504 plans.
• Dray Bourgeois is the VSAC Pre-ETS Counselor for southern Vermont and offers post-secondary high school planning workshops to students at six schools in the region.  Dray brings a thoughtful and creative eye to curriculum development. Dray has more than a decade of experience working with disabled individuals in a variety of settings and is committed to aiding students find success in post-secondary endeavors. Prior to working at VSAC Dray worked for 8 years in a daycare with children ranging from 3 months to 9 years of age. Dray worked in specialized home health care for 4 years in both private and company settings giving him experiences with a variety of needs and disabilities. He also helps run a Dungeons and Dragons program that is open to children and teens in Massachusetts. Dray had a Bachelors of arts with a concentration in Pre-veterinary medicine.
• Rich Boyers is the VSAC pre-ETS Counselor for Northern Vermont, bringing postsecondary planning workshops to six schools in the region. He holds a Master’s in Education and brings over 25 years of experience in education and leadership, including supporting families of children with disabilities. Rich is committed to VSAC’s mission of guiding students toward postsecondary success. Throughout his teaching career, Rich worked closely with students on IEP and 504plans, developing personalized supports to build confidence and help them reach their academic goals. His commitment extends beyond the classroom; he currently serves a second term on the Vermont Family Network Board, supporting families of children and youth with disabilities and special health needs.