Lisa Boerner
Northeast School in Rutland
Slowing down is not on Lisa Boerner’s radar. At least, not most of the time. Now a Rutland Middle School special educator (after 15 years teaching at the alternative school on Allen Street), Boerner is doing all she can to support the students and staff in her building. And outside of her classroom, she serves as a coach for the Unified Sports program, participates in multiple fundraising events, skis every chance she gets and is active member of the Caring Canines community.
On the afternoon we visited, her partner Lisa Frankel also joined us for the interview bringing their therapy certified dogs, Pico and Trail with her. “I do at times bring our dogs to work,” Boerner said. “I value the relationship between our minds and our bodies. When the climate here in the building feels a bit chaotic the dogs help to create permission for everyone to cool down. Pico and Trail also help students to feel more comfortable and self-confident.”
“I don’t do well with a lot of down time,” Boerner said and Frankel concurred in agreement. “We did build a chicken coop during the summer but I worked the extended year program rather than take a full vacation,” Boerner said. “I am in the outdoors as much as possible and love new challenges. On winter weekends you can find me skiing down the Pico Mountain trails and in warmer months I am paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking and playing softball. I know what I need to take care of myself so I can take care of others.”
The list of her athletic fundraising feats is extensive. “I participate annually in Rutland’s Relay for Life every Father’s Day , the Bark Relay, the Romp to Stomp which includes Nordic skiing and snowshoeing and recently engaged in two Penguin Plunges; one in Lake Champlain and one at Stratton Mountain. “I did the plunge in Burlington in honor of a para-educator who passed away,” she said. “And I am very invested in raising funds for the American Cancer Society because of my family’s history with cancer.”
Boerner describes herself as a team leader and an individual who readily serves as a representative between the administration and her colleagues. She is also the Vice President of Delta Kappa Gamma, the worldwide Women’s Education Society, which promotes personal and personal development.
