Cindy Beaudoin-Valyou of Milton, a 20+ year veteran of the Saint Michael's College Early Learning Center, was named the 2009 Early Childhood Professional of the Year by the Building Bright Futures Council of Chittenden County at ceremonies held June 11 at Trinity Church in Shelburne. This recognition, the 12th annual presentation of the award, recognizes individuals who “provide quality care and education on a daily basis to young children and their families.”
Beaudoin-Valyou was praised for unparalleled enthusiasm and positive outlook, even with more than 20 years on the job. She was described by George Goldsworthy, manager, as having a “hands-on approach with the children, each day, that is fabulous.” He said she is regarded by the children with the utmost respect and as a best friend.
“I have never witnessed a teacher so loved for so long by so many children,” Goldsworthy said. Years after they leave her, she remembers their names, and delights in seeing them, and they delight in seeing her. Ms. Beaudoin-Valyou was also praised for making children and families new to the community feel loved and feel like they belong—sometimes despite great cultural differences. The nominator said Cindy Beaudoin-Valyou is extraordinarily deserving of this award.
Saint Michael’s College, www.smcvt.edu, founded in 1904 by the Society of St. Edmund and headed by President John J. Neuhauser, is identified by the Princeton Review as one of the nation’s Best 368 Colleges. A liberal arts, residential, Catholic college, Saint Michael’s is located just outside of Burlington, Vermont, one of America’s top college towns, and less than two hours from Montreal. As one of only 270 institutions nationwide with a prestigious Phi Beta Kappa chapter on campus, Saint Michael’s has 2,000 full-time undergraduate students, some 500 graduate students and 200 international students. In recent years Saint Michael’s students and professors have received Rhodes, Woodrow Wilson, Guggenheim, Fulbright, National Science Foundation and other grants, and Saint Michael’s professors have been named Vermont Professor of the Year in four of the last eight years. The college is currently listed as one of the nation’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the 2009 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
