Puppets in Education

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Puppets in Education www.PuppetsInEducation.org. Puppets in Education teaches children how to keep themselves safe and healthy and to appreciate each other's differences.

vermontfamilynetwork.org Puppets in Education, a program of Vermont Family Network, teaches children how to keep themselves safe and healthy and to appreciate each other’s differences. We are part of Vermont Family Network.

On Thursday, October 1, Puppets in Education traveled to Hyde Park Elementary, thanks to generous funding from the Natio...
10/07/2026

On Thursday, October 1, Puppets in Education traveled to Hyde Park Elementary, thanks to generous funding from the National Life Group!!!

We kicked off the day with the Anxiety Workshop for 5th and 6th graders, who shared some of the things that make them feel stressed:

“Sometimes I feel stressed if I’m not ready for something.”
“I guess math tests kind of stress me out.”
“I get stressed when I’m home alone and I hear something I don’t normally hear.”

We also performed Resilience three times for PK–4th graders. When asked the 3rd and 4th graders about times they had to be resilient, they shared:

"When my mom and dad had to divorce."
Meeting new people.
"Climbing something at recess."
"When my parents brought me home to Cambridge."
"When I moved houses."
"When I started hockey."
"Being the youngest person at Flag Football."
"When I was attacked by a dog."
"Trying a new thing."

During a break, the art teacher shared a wonderful moment with us:

“There was a student who left our room because she was scared of losing her tooth, then another student patted her on the shoulder and said, ‘It’s okay. Be resilient. You’re going to be okay.’ And she went out to recess!”

A perfect example of resilience in action! 🧡

Thank you National Life Group for supporting the minds, bodies, and hearts of the youth in Hyde Park!

On Wednesday, September 23rd, Puppets in Education traveled to Waitsfield to perform "Resilience" and the "Anxiety Works...
09/29/2026

On Wednesday, September 23rd, Puppets in Education traveled to Waitsfield to perform "Resilience" and the "Anxiety Workshop" for Kindergarten–6th graders. This half-day was sponsored by The Oakland Foundation and we’re so grateful for their continued support!

We debuted our revised 3rd–4th grade version of the Resilience show, with more age-appropriate and relatable content. Instead of asking what students love about themselves, we asked:

"When have you needed to be Resilient?"

The Waitsfield 3rd and 4th Graders shared:

"When I climbed a really really really big rock and I had to climb back down."
"When I had to move."
"Moving from one house to another house."
"When I had to travel twice."
"My first time riding a horse."

At the end of the show, one student shouted, “I don’t want it to end!!!”

And after the K–2 Resilience show, a first grader approached and asked to speak with the Hermit Crab:

“I need to share something with the hermit crab… I had to move houses one time and it was really upsetting. I had a best friend and we were really close like family, and I had to leave.”

We also discovered a giant puppet hanging from the ceiling—a remnant of a Bread and Puppet Theatre residency following Hurricane Irene. SO COOL! We love puppets, big and small!

Thank you to the Oakland Foundation for sending our puppet friends to Waitsfield!

09/22/2026

Thank you 5 Town Friends of the Arts for helping to fund a day of shows at Beeman Elementary! The puppeteers had a blast and Ollie Potato and Hermie were SO excited to get back out on the road!

We're BACK!!!On Wednesday, September 16, Puppets in Education kicked off our new school year at Beeman Elementary in New...
09/22/2026

We're BACK!!!

On Wednesday, September 16, Puppets in Education kicked off our new school year at Beeman Elementary in New Haven, Vermont. This day was partially funded by a grant from 5 Town Friends of the Arts in Bristol, and we were delighted to have our grant contact, Katy, join us for the *Resilience* show.

We started with two Anxiety Workshops for 4th–6th graders. The students were completely engaged from the moment we began, and one teacher told us:

“I thought it was excellent and so age appropriate for this grade level.”

The Beeman students shared that they’re anxious about homework, having too much to do, being late, doctor’s appointments, public speaking, sports, friendships, and family problems.

Then we asked what they do to **Reset and Refocus**.

> “I like to go hang out with my cows.”

> “I hang out in my apple orchard.”

And, perhaps our favorite:

> “I live on a farm and I have a rooster that will chase you and sometimes I like having it chase me.”

Resilience and the power of “YET”

We also brought out Ollie Potato and Hermie for our first *Resilience* show of the season.

The school counselor shared:

> “I will remember accepting change and that change is normal and sometimes hard. Adding ‘yet’ gives you power.”

When we asked the students what they couldn’t do **YET** but hoped to do someday, we heard everything from riding bikes and doing cartwheels to riding horses and, naturally:

> “Be a snake handler.”

It was a wonderful way to begin the season: familiar puppets, a new chicken, new students, new questions, and a reminder of why we love this work.

We’re so happy to be back in schools and deeply grateful to our funders and donors for their continued support.

Next up: Waitsfield Elementary for another day of *Resilience* and Anxiety Workshops!

Here’s to another school year of puppets, big feelings, brave questions, and the power of YET!

The Numbers Are In!In the 2025-2026 School Year, Puppets in Education visited 34 sites and performed 111 shows for 5,100...
06/15/2026

The Numbers Are In!
In the 2025-2026 School Year, Puppets in Education visited 34 sites and performed 111 shows for 5,100 kids and 739 adults reaching a total of 5, 839 people!!!
While we are looking forward to taking time this summer to reset, refocus, and work on a new program- we cannot wait to start our performances back up in the fall!
We are so grateful for all of the support from our funders, donors, and community!

06/11/2026

The Puppets have completed their shows for the 2025-2026 school year and have launched into their Summer Vacation! Bernard, Ollie Potato, and Hermie sing "Bounce Back," at the beach!

On Thursday, 5/21, Jillian, Karlie, and Kristen traveled to Kensington Road Elementary in Glens Falls, NY for a five-sho...
05/29/2026

On Thursday, 5/21, Jillian, Karlie, and Kristen traveled to Kensington Road Elementary in Glens Falls, NY for a five-show day of "Resilience," sponsored by Romeo Chevrolet of Glens Falls!

Performing for PK–4th grade students gave us an exciting opportunity to see how the show connects with different age groups as we continue developing both younger and older versions of the program.

Staff shared wonderful feedback, including:
✨ “It was a very engaging show with a powerful message students could relate to.”
✨ “I loved the Bounce Back song.”
✨ “Absolutely loved the presentation…especially teaching the word ‘yet.’”

As always, students shared what makes them special:
💛 “I’m honest and kind.”
💛 “I’m the only boy that does dance.”
💛 “I like how I’m always trying new things.”
💛 “I always try, but I ask for help when I really need it.”

One 4th grader shared something especially powerful after the show about moving to Virginia and facing big changes with both fear and excitement. Moments like these remind us why conversations about resilience, growth, and change matter so much.

Thank you to Romeo Chevrolet and Kensington Road Elementary for welcoming us for such a meaningful day!

On Wednesday, 5/20 Puppets in Education brought four performances to Greenwich Elementary School, sponsored by McGee Che...
05/29/2026

On Wednesday, 5/20 Puppets in Education brought four performances to Greenwich Elementary School, sponsored by McGee Chevrolet of Greenwich!

For 1st & 2nd graders, we performed Resilience to help students build confidence and navigate change. Students shared what makes them special, including:
✨ “I’m kind.”
✨ “I’m helpful.”
✨ “I can snowboard.”
✨ “I’m strong.”

For PreK & Kindergarten, we shared our Friendship show, where students learned ways to connect with new friends:
💬 “I like your shirt!”
💬 “Tell them your name!”
💬 “I like your shoes!”
🎵 And one preschooler suggested… “Sing them a song!”

Thank you to McGhee Chevrolet, the amazing staff, and students for such an engaging and joyful day!

On Thursday 5/7 Puppets in Education traveled to Amsterdam, NY thanks to MANGINO CHEVROLET INC! We performed our Resilie...
05/10/2026

On Thursday 5/7 Puppets in Education traveled to Amsterdam, NY thanks to MANGINO CHEVROLET INC! We performed our Resilience and Friendship shows and our Anxiety Workshop at William Barkley Elementary School.
When we asked the 3rd and 4th graders what they can’t do yet but hope to be able to do in the future, they shared:
“Be a basketball player.
Be a football player.
Be an astronaut.
Be an oceanologist.
Be a cheerleader.
Learn how to do a cartwheel.
Be a paleontologist.”

SUCH COOL ANSWERS!

During the Anxiety Workshop, when we asked the 5th graders “What helps you reset and refocus?” they shared,
“Playing with toys or fidgets.
Laying down.
Taking 5-10 deep breaths.
Going outside.
Listening to calm music.”

After the Friendship show, a first grade teacher shared
“The students listened to the puppets more than adults talking about the same info.”

This is feedback we often receive, and we love to see magical power of puppets prevail throughout schools. Thanks to Mangino Chevrolet we were able to gift William Barkley 5 puppets that they can use to make stories and role play challenging situations. We are so grateful to have been able to make this trip!

On Thursday April 30, Puppets in Education performed at Fort Ann Central School thanks to the generous support from Ross...
05/01/2026

On Thursday April 30, Puppets in Education performed at Fort Ann Central School thanks to the generous support from Ross Chevrolet!
Our shows for the 2nd-5th graders focused on Anxiety. When we asked students what they think kids their age have anxiety about they shared:
"When you get into 3rd grade you have to take the State Tests.
The dark.
The first day of school.
A sibling having a hard time.
Some kids worry about popularity.
Being in a play.
My pets, taking care of them and what if something bad happens to them?
Having to make a speech.
Having to do a bunch of stuff when you’re already stressed.
A dance recital.
Talking in a big group."

For the youngest students we performed our show about Friendship. When we asked students why they think people make friends, one student enthusiastically volunteered,
"It's pretty good!!!"

We are so grateful to Ross Chevrolet for supporting our visit to Fort Ann, it was a joy!

Address

600 Blair Park Road
Williston, VT
05495

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm

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+18008004005

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