Brattleboro Area Middle School’s Anne Koplinka-Loehr Awarded 2025 Rowland Fellowship
Brattleboro, VT — September 15, 2025 — Brattleboro Area Middle School (BAMS) proudly announces that Anne Koplinka-Loehr, a 7th & 8th grade social studies teacher, has been awarded a 2025 Rowland Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship, granted by The Rowland Foundation, supports visionary Vermont educators in implementing transformative initiatives to enhance school culture and climate. Koplinka-Loehr is the first Rowland Fellow from both BAMS and the Windham Southeast School District, and she has worked closely with Principal Keith Lyman to develop this initiative.
With this fellowship, Koplinka-Loehr has stepped into a Teacher on Special Assignment role for the 2025-2026 academic year. She will be facilitating a group of staff and students to integrate restorative practices throughout the middle school.
Principal Lyman stated, “I am very proud of Ms. Koplinka-Loehr’s initiative in applying for, and being accepted as, a Rowland Scholar. This is an incredible opportunity for her to pursue work she is deeply passionate about while having the time and resources to collaborate with our staff and fellow Rowland partners to identify meaningful ways to strengthen our school. Anne is the first teacher in our supervisory union, to my knowledge, to be awarded this fellowship, and I am truly excited about the positive impact her work will have on our school community.”
Restorative Practices Vision
Koplinka-Loehr aims to foster a positive school climate at BAMS through restorative justice (RJ) practices. She hopes to shift school systems towards connection, accountability, and relationship-building, and she envisions a collaborative effort to cultivate an environment centered on equity, joy, and justice.
The Rowland Fellowship project includes establishing a Collaborative Work Group (CWG) to research and implement effective restorative systems, elevating student voices and engagement. This team is comprised of 7 other BAMS educators, and will also include at least two students.
By focusing on community-building and restorative circles, the initiative’s goal is to improve student relationships, reduce harmful behaviors, and foster a sense of belonging within the school. With the support of the Rowland Foundation, Anne plans to collaborate with educators, students, and community partners to create lasting change that benefits both the school and its students.
Collaboration & Growth at BAMS
As part of her fellowship, Koplinka-Loehr will lead a year of researching and implementing restorative best practices with colleagues and students. This will include site visits to districts that currently integrate restorative work throughout their schools, conferences and training, and partnerships with community organizations. The project will evolve through feedback and collaboration, ensuring it aligns with the needs of the BAMS community.
On Tuesday, September 9, BAMS hosted the first Cohort meeting of this year’s Rowland Fellows from around the state. Each month one of the Fellows hosts the meeting at their school, and this gathering was a chance to collaboratively plan for the upcoming semester, build a strong CWG, and engage in purposeful agenda & budget planning. Participants engaged in reflective discussions, shared insights, and explored strategies to enhance their collaborative practices. The work emphasizes building relationships, fostering a culture of collaboration, and applying new ideas to their work.
About the Rowland Fellowship
The Rowland Foundation awards fellowships annually to Vermont educators, providing grants of up to $125,000 to support bold and transformative educational projects. These fellowships allow teachers to take on leadership roles in driving change within their schools. (therowlandfoundation.org)
Brattleboro Area Middle School is committed to fostering a student-centered, inquiry-driven learning environment. Koplinka-Loehr’s fellowship represents an exciting step forward in the school’s dedication to innovation and meaningful student engagement.
For more information, please contact:
Anne Koplinka-Loehr
2025 Rowland Foundation Fellow
Brattleboro Area Middle School
(802) 451-3725
akoplinka@wsesdvt.org
