Summer Matters - Valley Forge Educational Services
Staff
Holly Zipperer, Director of Summer Programs & Ancillary Services
hozipperer@vfes.net
610-296-6725 x115
1777 N. Valley Road, P.O. Box 730
Paoli, PA 19301
Holly Zipperer was appointed VFES Director of Summer Programs and Ancillary Services in July 2008, having previously served as Director of Summer Programs for The Vanguard School. At Vanguard, Ms. Zipperer managed the Extended School Year Program (ESY) and also was instrumental in founding the successful experiential learning program that is now called Summer L.I.F.E.. As director of VFES’ Summer Matters™ division, Zipperer is responsible for the operations of its three unique programs: Summer at Crossroads, Summer L.I.F.E. and The Extended School Year Program at The Vanguard School. She also plans and manages ancillary services such as weekend retreats and respite programs operating when regular school is not in session.
Zipperer has twenty years of work experience in the field of education. In addition to her work at VFES, she worked as an educational consultant and instructor throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania for, “Learning for a Lifetime,” her personal business, where she facilitated professional development seminars and parent workshops for early childhood caregivers and families. From 2002-2007, Zipperer was a special education teacher, High/Scope curriculum mentor, and early intervention manager for KenCrest Services’ Artman Child Development Center and from 2001-2002, she teamed with other education professionals in Elwyn’s Early Childhood Services division to develop the Archworks Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders located in Philadelphia.
Prior to relocating to Pennsylvania in 1999, Zipperer was an early childhood special educator in the Lexington/Richland 5 School District, South Carolina, a position that enabled her to work with preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She also served on a professional team of educators who developed a preschool program for children on the spectrum at H.E. Corley Elementary School and was a district-wide resource for colleagues, providing in-service training and consultative services in classrooms that served students with ASD.
Zipperer began her career working in a recreational summer camp setting at Camp Burnt Gin in 1991, a special needs camp for children ages 7 – 21 located in South Carolina. It was here that she honed her skills as a counselor, lifeguard, waterfront director and program director.
She received her M. Ed. in special education with a specialization in mental retardation and learning disabilities from the University of South Carolina and her B.A. in elementary and early childhood education from Newberry College, South Carolina.
Tracy Buck, 2011 Academic Program Coordinator
Summer at Crossroads
info@summermatters.org
610-296-6725 x115
1777 N. Valley Road
Malvern, PA 19355
Tracy Buck looks forward to having a summer of learning and fun with the students of Summer at Crossroads. Tracy graduated with high honors and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from West Chester University. She is currently earning her master’s in Educational Administration and Leadership and her principal certification at Drexel University. The passion, energy, and resourcefulness she brings to her teaching result in high levels of student progress and engagement. Tracy has been teaching at VFES’ Vanguard School since summer 2009, where she has implemented dynamic instructional reading strategies for her students and a positive, strengths-based approach to teaching and learning. Aside from improving the education of children, Tracy enjoys spending time with her family in New Jersey, staying fit, and cooking.
Kate Ott, 2011 Recreation Program Coordinator
Summer at Crossroads
info@summermatters.org
610-296-6725 x115
1777 N. Valley Road
Malvern, PA 19355
Kate Ott is anticipating a fun-filled summer with the Summer at Crossroads students. Kate received her B.S. degree in human development and family studies from Pennsylvania State University in 2008 and plans to attend Immaculata University to study for her master’s in school psychology. Kate has five years of experience as a counselor and group supervisor for a YMCA overnight camp in New Jersey. During the school year, she works as a Lower School instructional assistant at VFES’ Vanguard School. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Hugh Braun, 2011 Upper School ESY Coordinator
The ESY Program at The Vanguard School
hubraun@vanguardschool-pa.org
610-296-6700
1777 N. Valley Road
Malvern, Pa 19355
Hugh Braun teaches Health, Physical Education and PACE (Program of Adventure-Based Counseling Experiences) at VFES’ Vanguard School’s high school, where he has worked for 15 years. He previously served as ESY program director and a behavior support specialist. Hugh received his bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and his master’s degree and principal certification from Pennsylvania State University. In his free time, Hugh enjoys playing golf, spending time at the beach and coaching his 8-year-old daughter’s softball team.
Sarah Jackson Sobek, 2011 Lower School ESY Coordinator
The ESY Program at The Vanguard School
sajackson@vanguardschool-pa.org
610-296-6700
1777 N. Valley Road
Malvern, PA 19355
Sarah Jackson Sobek returns for her second summer as ESY Lower School Coordinator. Sarah has 10 years of experience at VFES’ Vanguard School, where she currently teaches in the lower school and serves as the science coordinator. Sarah previously taught in Vanguard’s middle school and spent five years as an instructional assistant while earning her special education teaching certification. Sarah graduated from Ursinus College with a degree in sociology and anthropology and is in the process of earning her master’s degree in education. When not teaching, she enjoys spending time at the gym and outdoors. Sarah is looking forward to the opportunity to work with all of the lower school classes this summer.
