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Hilltop Profile: Christine Gilbert Brings Community, Curiosity, and Connection to Vermont Academy
At Vermont Academy, faculty members often wear many hats, but few embrace campus life as fully as Christine Gilbert. Whether she’s in the classroom, advising ninth graders, or supporting students on the climbing wall, Gilbert has quickly become a central figure in our hilltop community.
Gilbert’s journey into education began early. “When I came home from preschool, I told my mom I was going to be a teacher,” she recalls. That childhood intuition eventually manifested into a passion for language. While she initially considered teaching math or science, a pivotal moment in high school was when she stepped away from Spanish and realized how much she missed it, which solidified her path.
Attending Frostburg State University in Maryland, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language and Secondary Education, with a concentration in Spanish, and minored in Theatre and Math. She later completed a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Leadership.
Now in her third year at Vermont Academy, Gilbert serves as the World Language Department Chair and a Spanish teacher. Her role extends far beyond the classroom: she is head of Alumni Hall, a ninth-grade advisor, a National Honor Society advisor, assistant coach for rock climbing, and a member of multiple committees, including Admissions and Curriculum. This spring, she’s even stepping onto the stage with a role in the school musical.
What she enjoys most about VA is the opportunity to see students grow across all aspects of their lives. As a ninth-grade advisor, she has had the unique experience of watching students develop from their first days on campus into confident members of the community. “You get to see them show up and evolve,” she says.
Gilbert’s path to Vermont was also shaped by family. With her parents retired and living in Vermont, and extended family nearby, her mother was the one who found the job posting for Vermont Academy and encouraged her to apply. The move brought her closer to home and into a community that aligned with her values. Both of her parents served in the Navy, working in cybersecurity, instilling in her a strong sense of service and dedication.
That commitment to service is evident in her life outside of school. Since 2019, Gilbert has been a volunteer firefighter, and now serves as a member of the Rockingham Municipal Fire Department. She also enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Ember and Koda, as well as crafting and working on creative projects.
In the classroom, students can expect to be challenged, but also supported. Gilbert emphasizes participation, collaboration, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. “I hope students learn to appreciate other cultures and communicate with people who are different from them,” she explains. “Most importantly, I want them to feel comfortable being their authentic selves and to never stop learning.” Her approach reflects what she values most about working at a boarding school, which is the ability to support students in countless ways beyond academics. From cheering at games to baking cookies in the dorm, Gilbert embraces the chance to make our campus feel like home.
She also sees teachers at VA as more than instructors. “We’re mentors and guides,” she says. “We help students explore the world within the comfort of a 450-acre classroom.”
If she had one piece of advice for new students, it would be simple, get involved. Spend time in shared spaces, try new things, and connect with others. “Don’t limit yourself to what you think school should be,” she says.
When it comes to Vermont Academy’s core pillars, Gilbert most strongly identifies with Community. Whether through her work on campus or her service as a firefighter, she finds purpose in contributing to something larger than herself. “I love being part of something that helps people and improves the greater good,” she says.
From the classroom to the firehouse, Christine Gilbert exemplifies the spirit of Vermont Academy, dedicated, engaged, and deeply connected to the community she serves.
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Attending Frostburg State University in Maryland, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language and Secondary Education, with a concentration in Spanish, and minored in Theatre and Math. She later completed a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Leadership.
Now in her third year at Vermont Academy, Gilbert serves as the World Language Department Chair and a Spanish teacher. Her role extends far beyond the classroom: she is head of Alumni Hall, a ninth-grade advisor, a National Honor Society advisor, assistant coach for rock climbing, and a member of multiple committees, including Admissions and Curriculum. This spring, she’s even stepping onto the stage with a role in the school musical.
What she enjoys most about VA is the opportunity to see students grow across all aspects of their lives. As a ninth-grade advisor, she has had the unique experience of watching students develop from their first days on campus into confident members of the community. “You get to see them show up and evolve,” she says.
Gilbert’s path to Vermont was also shaped by family. With her parents retired and living in Vermont, and extended family nearby, her mother was the one who found the job posting for Vermont Academy and encouraged her to apply. The move brought her closer to home and into a community that aligned with her values. Both of her parents served in the Navy, working in cybersecurity, instilling in her a strong sense of service and dedication.
That commitment to service is evident in her life outside of school. Since 2019, Gilbert has been a volunteer firefighter, and now serves as a member of the Rockingham Municipal Fire Department. She also enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Ember and Koda, as well as crafting and working on creative projects.
In the classroom, students can expect to be challenged, but also supported. Gilbert emphasizes participation, collaboration, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. “I hope students learn to appreciate other cultures and communicate with people who are different from them,” she explains. “Most importantly, I want them to feel comfortable being their authentic selves and to never stop learning.” Her approach reflects what she values most about working at a boarding school, which is the ability to support students in countless ways beyond academics. From cheering at games to baking cookies in the dorm, Gilbert embraces the chance to make our campus feel like home.
She also sees teachers at VA as more than instructors. “We’re mentors and guides,” she says. “We help students explore the world within the comfort of a 450-acre classroom.”
If she had one piece of advice for new students, it would be simple, get involved. Spend time in shared spaces, try new things, and connect with others. “Don’t limit yourself to what you think school should be,” she says.
When it comes to Vermont Academy’s core pillars, Gilbert most strongly identifies with Community. Whether through her work on campus or her service as a firefighter, she finds purpose in contributing to something larger than herself. “I love being part of something that helps people and improves the greater good,” she says.
From the classroom to the firehouse, Christine Gilbert exemplifies the spirit of Vermont Academy, dedicated, engaged, and deeply connected to the community she serves.
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
