ALLIE Futty
31 | Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired | Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Residence: Burlington
Career highlight(s): The career highlight I'm most proud of is teaching graduate courses to nearly 100 total future professionals in the field of visual impairments. The impact that each of them will have on hundreds of more students with visual impairments over their careers is inspiring. It is an honor to play a small part in that.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes being an active participant in all issues facing Vermonters with vision loss across the life span. This includes awareness raising activities, building partnerships with other 
organizations and agencies, and promoting innovation that impacts the lives of those with vision loss. I recently worked with a local engineer to develop a tablet/phone stand that meets the needs of individuals with visual impairments. I am also engaged with the ECHO Center as they go through a major redesign of their exhibits, helping to ensure full inclusion for Vermont kids with disabilities.
Additionally, I am an avid member of the Burlington Community Garden program, growing food for myself and donating extras to great programs like the Family Room.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by the sheer number of things to do! I feel so lucky to live in the Burlington community where I can access great art, music, food, cultural events but also be a short drive to the lake, mountains, end beautiful farm land. I am a proud member of the Old North End Community and am so grateful for this vibrant neighborhood and the care and connection people have here.
Favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is the kids of course! My students blow me away every day with their humor, sense of purpose, and unique perspective on the world.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor is my boss, Stephanie Bissonette. She has been serving kids in Vermont with visual impairments for over 30 years. There is nothing she hasn't seen or knows how to deal with. She gives me a huge amount of freedom and trust to do my job but when I need some advice she is always there.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received is to turn off my computer at 5PM and not look at it again until 8AM the next morning. This may seem like a funny answer to this question but it is actually invaluable advice. When you have a job that demands a lot of you emotionally, learning to do self-care and prioritize your personal life is the thing that keeps you coming back fresh for your students and keeps you going for decades without burning out.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that I once accidentally fell in a manhole in Port of Spain, Trinidad!
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is river tubing in Stockbridge.
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is watching the NBA.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The cause I would support is the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance. Nothing would make our state stronger than an honest reckoning with the historical (and ongoing) systemic racism.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I'd like to get my doctoral degree in educational leadership. I think there is an unfortunate under representation of people with disabilities in special education leadership.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? During the pandemic, my job has changed to allow me to have more connection with parents, which I love! We always talk about the importance of centralizing the voices of parents in special education and the pandemic has allowed us to team with parents in a way we never have before!