Our Administrative Staff
Jocelyn York
Executive Director
Jocelyn has had the privilege of supporting the growth and well-being of children and youth since 2000. SHe has been a nanny, a preschool teacher, a summer camp counselor, an inpatient psych hospital provider, a supportive case manager for youth on probation, a school counselor, and, most recently, the Head of School at The Neighborhood Schoolhouse in Brattleboro. Jocelyn holds a Master of Education from Goddard College. She lives in Montpelier with her wife, three children, and four pets. She loves to ski, hike, cook, travel, and explore on her paddle board.
Phoebe Stone
Associate Director
Phoebe has been working in the field of education since 2008. She received her MA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado Denver. She is thrilled to be working alongside a strong team of dedicated educators at Turtle Island. She lives in East Montpelier with her husband and alumna daughter. When she’s not at school she loves to spend time with her daughter and ski, bike and swim with her family.
Abby LaBounty
Director of Professional Development
Abby LaBounty has been at Turtle Island since Fall 2020. After completing a Master's in Early Childhood Education in 2019, she began in the Hardwoods classroom with toddlers. She taught for several years in the Hardwoods and Pinewoods classrooms and enjoyed learning the ins and outs of nature-based care and education hands-on. In Spring 2024, she stepped into the role of Director of Professional Development. She now supports teachers in creating and achieving professional goals, provides curricular oversight across all 7 classrooms, and seeks as well as creates professional development opportunities for TICC faculty. She enjoys gardening, reading, and exploring Vermont with her husband and toddler son.
Katrina Ellis-Ferrara
Director of Student Support Services
Katrina has been at Turtle Island since 2018. She taught preschool for many years in the Cave classroom. After completing her masters degree in Early Childhood Special Education from UVM, Katrina transitioned into the role of Director of Student Support Services. She is passionate about supporting children with diverse needs and creating inclusive learning environments for all children. Outside of Turtle Island, Katrina enjoys spending time in nature, reading, and coaching Special Olympics soccer. She is also a proud aunt of her two nephews and niece!
Karen Askew
Business Manager
Karen joined Turtle Island in April of 2013, bringing over 40 years of accounting and business
experience. She was born and raised in South Barre and graduated from Champlain
College. She was married to her husband (deceased) for 42 years and has 3 daughters and 4
grandchildren. After spending over 30 years in the New York City metropolitan area, she and her
husband returned to Vermont in 2012 to be closer to family. Having been previously involved in the
nonprofit sector, she found Turtle Island in need of help and has been here since.