We’re excited to welcome our 9th grade students and all new 10th–12th grade students for their first day at SBHS.
8:00–8:45 — Arrival and check-in at the SBHS lobby
9:00–10:20 — Advisory, laptop distribution, school tour, lockers, and café information
10:20–10:30 — Review schedules and class rotations
10:35–12:30 — Blue and Gray class rotations
12:35–1:20 — Lunch
1:30 — Buses depart
We know a new school can feel like a lot. Take a breath, ask questions, and know that we’ll be here to help you find your way.
Welcome to SBHS! We’re glad you’re here.
Welcome back to SBHS, Aquilas
He/him | Learning Center Teacher
Please join us in welcoming Aquilas Lokossou (he/him) back to South Burlington High School, this time as our Learning Center Teacher.
Aquilas previously served as a school counselor at SBHS during the 2024–25 school year before spending this past year at Orchard Elementary and King Street Center. It was the community he knows and missed that brought him back to SBHS, and we’re excited to have him back with us.
Equity is at the forefront of Aquilas’ work in education. He is committed to making sure every student has the support they need to succeed and feel valued as a member of our school community.
Outside of school, Aquilas enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and playing the drums.
This year, he’s looking forward to reconnecting with our students and staff and celebrating our students at school events.
Welcome back to the Wolf Pack, Aquilas!
Miss Alex | Speech Language Pathologist
Please join us in welcoming Alex Dezenzo Kindlon (Miss Alex) to South Burlington High School! Alex joins us as an SLP in Wolf Tracks, after working in the preschool classroom at RMCS. She decided to follow Mrs. McD to the high school...and we’re so glad she did!
Alex believes in creating a community where everyone feels safe, supported, challenged, and understood. She’s excited to bring project-based learning (and a lot of glitter!) to Wolf Tracks.
A few fun facts about Alex: She played Division I women’s soccer at UVM and leads the social media team for a dog rescue nonprofit. This year, she’s especially excited to cook with students in the Wolf Tracks kitchen.
Welcome to the Wolf Pack, Alex! We’re excited to have you with us!
Summer at SBHS may look a little quieter, but behind the scenes, our Facilities and IT teams have been working nonstop to prepare our school for another year. From the moment the last students and educators left in June, they’ve been cleaning, repairing, maintaining, upgrading, troubleshooting, and tackling projects big and small to make sure our building is ready for the year ahead.
Here’s a snapshot of what they’ve been tackling in addition to deep cleaning, maintenance, repairs, technology updates, and getting classrooms and common spaces ready for 800+ students and staff:
🏫 Gym roof work
🔥 Heating valve replacements throughout the building
💨 Three new univentilators
🌬️ New rooftop air handlers
🚻 Second-floor girls' bathroom renovation
🏀 Gym floor refinishing
🎭 Stage floor refinishing
🎨 Pottery room ceiling replacement
🪟 Pottery room window replacement work
🧱 Replacement of damaged brick facade
A huge THANK YOU to our Facilities and IT teams! Thank you for making SBHS ready for another great year!
#sbproud
She/Her | Special Educator
Lainie Jaffe is joining SBHS as a 9th and 10th grade math co-teacher! Lainie comes to us after six years teaching in Washington, DC. She’s excited to learn new skills from the strong SBHS community while also getting out and enjoying some new adventures here in the Green Mountain State.
Core Value - Inclusion. Lainie believes everyone should feel welcome and celebrated, both in and out of the classroom. She is committed to creating spaces where all students feel like they belong.
Fun Fact - Lainie grew up playing the cello and has recently started learning to play the bass guitar.
Looking Forward To - Meeting everyone, becoming part of the SBHS community, and joining the Wolf Pack!
She/Her | Math Teacher
Carly Sehr is joining the SBHS math department this year, and we’re excited to welcome her! Carly will be working with our multilingual learner community and many of our new freshmen. This is her first year as a classroom teacher after completing the TAP program at Champlain College. She student-taught at SBHS last year and spent the spring as a long-term substitute in our math department. Before becoming a teacher, Carly spent many years working in digital marketing, most recently at City Market in Burlington.
Core Value - Integrity. Carly believes that knowing who you are, deciding who you want to be, and working toward the best version of yourself is valuable in every part of life. She believes trust, good faith, and keeping our promises help build meaningful relationships and strong communities.
Fun Fact - Carly loves to crochet! Stop by her classroom and ask her about using crochet to model wacky mathematical spaces like hyperbolic planes...or about her amigurumi, blankets, and other creations!
Looking Forward To - Helping incoming freshmen build confidence and set themselves up for success in high school math and throughout their high school careers.
She/Her | English Teacher
Danielle Dahline will be joining SBHS as an English 9 teacher this year. Danielle comes to SBHS with a background in higher education, having taught writing and literature at both CCV and Vermont State University. A few years ago, she went back to school to become a high school teacher...and she says it’s her favorite job ever!
Core Values - Individuality & Equity. Danielle believes every student brings unique experiences and wisdom to the classroom and deserves to feel celebrated, safe, and valued for who they are.
Fun Fact - This summer, Danielle picked raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries and tried her hand at making jam. She also learned to paddleboard and joined a kickball league!
Looking Forward To - Getting to know the SBHS community and encouraging students to take risks with their writing and ideas.
She/Her | Literacy Specialist
Erin Labita will be joining SBHS as our Literacy Specialist for grades 9–12. Erin spent eight years as a Literacy Interventionist with the Howard Center’s INCLUSION program, supporting schools throughout Chittenden County. She also has a special connection to SBHS—she completed her student teaching here in 2010 and has always dreamed of returning to the school as a professional educator!
Core Value - Individuality. Erin believes every student has a unique way of learning. She believes there is no “one size fits all” approach to instruction and that educators should learn each student’s strengths and challenges and adapt to meet them where they are.
Fun Fact - Erin loves hot yoga and has been practicing for 14 years!
Looking Forward To - Meeting students and staff and becoming part of the SBHS community!
She/Her | Math
Rebecca Mellen will be joining SBHS as a Math teacher this year. Rebecca recently completed her 21st year teaching at Winooski High School, where she taught Algebra, Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus, and Cryptology. After many years of watching her two sons compete on SBHS athletic fields, Rebecca is excited to now be joining the teaching staff and working with the students and families of the South Burlington community.
Core Value - Creativity. Rebecca believes math is all about innovative problem solving and finding different pathways through complex, real-world problems. She loves the way creative strategizing with peers can make mathematics more engaging while building students’ confidence and flexibility in their thinking.
Fun Fact - Rebecca has a pretty unique Woodstock story! Her dad was a pilot, and she was able to attend the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival—by flying over and buzzing the crowd with her dad for part of an afternoon. She’s especially glad she got to experience it without having to deal with all that rain and mud!
Looking Forward To - Supporting freshmen as they begin their first high school mathematics experience—and learning plenty from them along the way!
She/Her | PrinciPAL
My name is Lissa McDonald, and I'm returning to SBHS as this year's PrinciPAL. I've been on the Leadership Team at the South Burlington School District for 20 years. Beginning in 2006, I worked alongside Mr. Burke for 17 years. For the past four years, I've served as the PrinciPAL at Rick Marcotte Central School. I'm excited to be back for my 40th year as an educator, and thrilled to be working with high school students again. I emphasize the PAL at the end of my title to emphasize my core belief that a principal's job is to cultivate relationships, draw students and families into the community, and maintain a culture that develops a sense of belonging. I'm so proud to be your PrinicPAL for the upcoming year!
A fun fact about me: I'm learning to be a carpenter so I can build my own house when I retire.
He/Him | School Counselor
Nate Lovitz will be joining SBHS as a school counselor this year. Nate spent the past 11 years at U-32 Middle and High School, where he served as a middle school counselor for three years and a high school counselor for eight years. He was drawn to SBHS because of its excellent reputation and its reputation as a leader in education here in Vermont.
Core Value - Community. Nate is excited to meet the students, families, and staff who make up the SBHS community and to build meaningful connections with the people who make our school such a special place.
Fun Fact - Nate spent 11 summers as a video boater and whitewater raft guide in Maine and Wyoming.
Looking Forward To - Meeting his students and helping them navigate life in high school while planning for their futures!
The start of a new school year is right around the corner, and Principal McDonald has a few things to share with our students and families. Check your email for Principal McDonald’s Welcome Back Newsletter, which includes important information to help everyone get ready for the year ahead.
Take a few minutes to read through it and start the year informed and ready to go.
The link to the newsletter is also available in our bio.
Welcome back, SBHS! We can’t wait to see you!
Over the next week, we’ll be introducing our new staff members here on social media and on our website. We’re excited for you to get to know the newest members of the SBHS community and the passions, talents, and experiences they bring to our school.
Welcome, Rachael McKee
She/Her | AP Seminar Teacher
Rachael McKee will be teaching English Language Arts this year. Rachael began her career as an English teacher in Washington, DC, where she taught 11th grade English and AP English Language and Composition. She moved to Vermont last year to pursue a Master’s in Teaching Latin at UVM and spent last year as a student teacher at SBHS. She quickly connected with the SBHS community and the enthusiasm students bring to the classroom, and we’re excited to welcome her back!
Core Value - Courage. Rachael hopes to encourage students to be brave, take risks, and develop the grit they need to navigate challenges and grow as learners.
Fun Fact - Rachael loves trail running and is taking on a pretty serious challenge this September: a 50-mile race!
Looking Forward To - Piloting the AP Seminar course and getting students engaged in research, argument writing, and collaboration.
She/Her | Special Education
Jenn Rogers will be joining SBHS as a special educator this year. A Vermont native, Jenn spent several years working in Utah, first at Ogden School District’s junior high level and then for the past three years as a Behavior Specialist for the district. She knew she wanted to return to working with high school students, and after hearing rave reviews about SBHS from the daughter of one of her oldest friends, Jenn jumped at the opportunity when a position opened.
Core Value - Equity. As a special educator, Jenn believes deeply in creating equitable opportunities for every student. She is committed to recognizing and responding to the individual needs of students so that all learners have the support they need to thrive.
Fun Fact - Jenn was born in San Francisco at a time when fathers’ occupations were listed on birth certificates. Her dad trained penguins at the pier, which means her birth certificate officially lists his occupation as… penguin trainer.
Looking Forward To - Being back in Vermont, working with high school students again, and getting to know her new co-workers!
Link: https://bsnap.hhimagehost.com/V2/Home/LoginConsumer?EK=330998
Also in instagram bio
Access code is SBHS2026
- On display June 4 to August 20
- Opening reception: June 11, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- 180 Market Street, South Burlington, VT 05403
