Capstone's Champion for Nontraditional Students at Brook Street High School
Meet Bailey Southgate: Champion for Nontraditional Students at Brook Street High School
When Bailey Southgate first walked through the doors of Brook Street High School, it was as a substitute teacher. She thought it might be a short-term stop on her teaching journey. Instead, it became a calling.
Bailey, now Brook Street High School’s Teacher and Academic Coordinator, grew up in Central Vermont and had long been aware of Capstone Community Action’s programs. A family friend introduced her to Capstone Head Start, and when a full-time position opened after a colleague’s retirement, she knew it was the right fit. “I always wanted to work with adults and nontraditional students,” she says. “Here, I can support students holistically, not just academically.”
Bailey’s approach to teaching is rooted in structure, relevance, and empathy. This year, she’s bringing in structured literacy using the Orton-Gillingham approach, a multisensory, explicit method designed for students with dyslexia, but beneficial for all learners. “We’re not just teaching from a book,” she explains. “We’re building language skills, understanding grammar, and making connections that stick.”
She also knows the importance of meeting students where they are. Whether it’s through informal reading and math assessments, self-paced skill-building, or art projects that connect to career readiness, Bailey ensures every lesson has a real-world application. “If I give an assignment, it’s going to be something students can actually use outside of school,” she says.
Bailey is intentional about creating a classroom that’s organized, welcoming, and safe for making mistakes. “I want students to feel relaxed but also professional, ready to take ownership of their learning,” she says. That might mean starting the year with a letter to themselves about why they returned to school or keeping a “student success board” to celebrate small wins along the way.
She’s especially attuned to the needs of Brook Street High School’s many parenting students. “I’m not a parent myself, but I respect that their kids come first. Returning to school is about carving out a better life for themselves and their families,” she says. That understanding shapes how she builds flexibility and respect into her classroom culture.
For Bailey, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Students might volunteer in the community, work on computer literacy and typing skills, or even try fabric dyeing and cursive writing projects. “Career readiness is huge! Things like creating a résumé, sending a PDF, or building a PowerPoint are real barriers for some students,” she says.
Field trips, outdoor learning, and hands-on experiences are also part of her vision. Whether it’s a nature education or herbalism workshop, or even bowling in Stowe, Bailey sees these moments as essential to keeping students engaged and connected.
What Bailey loves most about Brook Street High School is its wraparound support and flexibility. “Our students have unique needs; traditional public school doesn’t always work for them. Here, we have the space, the schedule, and the autonomy to help them pursue lives they’re interested in,” she says. “We know our students well enough to tailor learning to who they are as parents and as learners.”
With her blend of structure, creativity, and deep respect for each student’s journey, Bailey is helping make Brook Street High School a place where non-traditional learners can thrive, not just academically, but in life.
Brook Street High School
If you or someone you know is a pregnant or parenting mom with children under the age of 5 and ready to take the next step, we’re here for you.
Call or text Stephanie at (802) 249-8227
Or visit the program website at capstonevt.org/high-school-programming
Brook Street High School is a program of Capstone Community Action’s Head Start. It is a State of Vermont approved education provider serving pregnant and parenting high school students.