Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver, a resident of Moretown, was honored as the 2025 Vermont Teacher of the Year for her incredible dedication to teaching English and History at Winooski High School. As a teacher, she goes above and beyond to amplify student voices through various creative outlets. She shares students’ memoirs, celebrates their short stories, listens to their impassioned speeches on racial injustice, organizes showcases for poetry, and reads countless original pieces written by her students. Caitlin firmly believes in the transformative power of the arts and has witnessed firsthand how it can help students discover their true selves and voices.
The arts play a crucial role in shaping the high school experience for students, allowing them to express themselves in unique ways and find their place in the world. However, Caitlin is deeply concerned about the current challenges faced by local arts organizations due to the loss of federal funding. Key organizations like the Vermont Arts Council, The Flynn, Vermont Humanities, the Governor’s Institute for the Arts, and Vermont Folklife Center are struggling to make up for the financial support they rely on to continue their impactful work. These organizations provide invaluable opportunities for students to explore their creativity, share their stories, and realize the importance of their voices in society.
Despite the ongoing mental health crisis among teenagers, threats to federal funding, and attacks on inclusive education, Caitlin finds hope in her students’ resilience, creativity, and powerful voices. She recently had the privilege of accompanying her student, Mapenzi Selemani, to the National Poetry Out Loud finals in Washington, DC, where she witnessed firsthand the profound impact of poetry on individuals’ lives. Caitlin emphasizes the need for unwavering support for the arts, urging Vermonters to stand up against challenges and advocate for the transformative power of creative expression. Together, we can ensure that the arts remain an integral part of our educational system, shaping future leaders and enriching our communities.
