Our Team

Jeff has collaborated with the Vermont Abenaki for over 40 years as an educator and community organizer. He has helped to facilitate myriad initiatives such as the Abenaki Pre-School and Kindergarten; the Title VI Indian Education Programs of Franklin-Grand Isle counties; and the Missisquoi Mentoring initiative. He chaired the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Native American Affairs for 15 years, and currently sits on the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs. His doctoral dissertation was the first participatory construct undertaken at the University of Vermont, where he collaborated with four Abenaki co-researchers of Missisquoi. Jeff lives in Fairfax with his wife Julie, their cat Max, and dog Blue. They have two grown children who both live in the greater NYC area.

Vera Sheehan is an educator, curator, artist, and Executive Director of the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association. She has developed curricula including Presenting Abenaki Culture in the Classroom, offered annually through Castleton University; Indigenous Perspectives: Curriculum, Pedagogy, and the Arts for St. Michael’s College; and Abenaki Art Then and Now offered at Middlebury College. Vera earned her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS), Certificate in Public History, and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Native American and Museum Studies from SUNY: Empire State College. As her capstone project, Vera worked with the Abenaki community to develop and launch the Abenaki Arts and Education Center (AAEC). Vera serves on the Vermont Humanities Executive Board. She previously worked with families and K–12 school groups at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and served a three-year term on the Vermont Act 1 Working Group (for the Ethnic Studies and Social Equity in Schools bill).

Eloise Beil is Curator Emerita for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM). As LCMM Director of Collections and Exhibits 1998–2021, Eloise partnered with Abenaki Culture Bearers and Tribal citizens to present Abenaki cultural heritage through exhibitions, publications, public events, curriculum development, and teacher training. She continues to support and facilitate the work of the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association, Abenaki Arts and Education Center, the American Abenaki Alliance, and the Abenaki people of N’Dakinna. Eloise received her MA from the Cooperstown Graduate Program in American Folk Culture and Museum Studies. In recent years, Eloise has been working with the Exhibitions and Historical Records teams at the Bixby Memorial Free Library in Vergennes. As a visual artist, Eloise for many years exhibited in regional juried exhibitions and served as cofounder, board member, and manager of a co-op gallery of fine arts and artisan crafts by Vermont artists.

With 30 years of experience creating and managing websites ranging from small local businesses to global companies that have multilingual websites, Dan provides a wealth of expertise and experience for the crafting of the project’s website. Some of his clients include Random House Publishing, Houghton-Mifflin, Lycos, and FIRST Robotics Lego League. He has served as the Chief Technology Officer for two companies and in various software development roles through his career. He is an Abenaki culture bearer, Tribal councilor, on Vermont’s Land Access and Opportunity Board, a member of the advisory committee of the VT Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and is the Chair of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs.

Jennifer DeSorgher is the Director of Teaching and Learning at Missisquoi Valley Union Middle and High School in Swanton, Vermont.  She holds a Bachelors of Arts from Saint Michael’s College in History with a minor in Medieval Studies, a Masters of Education from Johnson State College in Teaching All Secondary Students, a Certificate of Graduate Study from Castleton University in Teacher Leadership, and is a licensed curriculum director. Jenn began at Missisquoi in the fall of 2001 and she has served as a middle and high school social studies teacher, team leader, mentor, and instructional coach before beginning her current role in 2015.  She was awarded the MVU Teacher of the Year for 2011–12. Additionally, she serves on the Regional Licensing Board for administrators and the Vermont Principal Association’s Professional Learning and Support Committee. She resides in St. Albans with her husband and daughters where she is also a member of the Recreation and Parks Commission. 

Stacey Gould is a proud citizen of The Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi St. Francis Sokoki Band, a wife, and a mother. She has worked for Title VI Indian Education for 16 years, eight of those years as the Assistant Coordinator to The Abenaki Circle of Courage. She served as a School Board Member for four years, a Missisquoi Valley Union HS student representative for the PAC (Parent Advisory Committee), and in recent years as a parent. Her dedication to children’s growth, academically and culturally, is reflected by the support she offers to surrounding communities.

Francine Poitras Jones is a Tribal Elder in the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. She successfully completed Presenting Abenaki Culture in the Classroom and is an Educator and contributor for the Abenaki Arts & Education Center. She spent 30 years in marketing before retiring and becoming a substitute teacher with her focus on grades K–3. She is an active artist in several media, and still enjoys working with children as a storyteller. She also has eight great-grandchildren.

Melody Mackin is a proud mother, activist, and educator. She received her MA in History from the University of Vermont and served on the Board of Trustees for the VT Historical Society. She has been an adjunct professor for more than 15 years at various institutions, gives presentations and demonstrations in K–collegiate classrooms, and serves as a consultant for educational institutions, non-profits, and other organizations. She has served on governor’s commissions, such as the VT Commission on Native Affairs and VT 250th Commission, and is currently one of three Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners serving on the VTRC.

Kim is an experienced educational publishing professional with a deep interest in the needs of students and teachers and boundless enthusiasm for translating those needs into cutting-edge learning tools. She has worked with most major publishers as a developer of K–8 science, digital literacy, and social studies instructional materials and was the developer of “Guide to College & Scholarships for Abenaki Students,” 2019 edition. Kim earned her BS in Environmental Education from Cornell University and her EdM in Science Education from Rutgers University. Her background as an educator informs her professional and volunteer work.