>>Staff Bios
Joan Martin – Executive Director
Joan moved to Vermont from Massachusetts in the late ’70s. She was an adapted physical education teacher for almost forty years, devoting her life’s work to assisting young people to find joy in physical activity and active play. She and Sue Minter started the Essex Town Unified Sports program together in 1999.
Joan lives in central Vermont with her husband and their golden retrievers. She loves the beach, gardening, bike rides, and being outdoor!
Sue Minter – Program Director
Sue alongside Debbie Lamden, who spearheaded the development of Partners In
Adventure in 1999, saw the need for social and recreational inclusion for their own
children along with their circle of families who have children with disabilities.
Sue, who grew up in Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia in 1982 and worked in vocational
workshops for adults with disabilities and Prince William County in Virginia before moving
to Vermont in 1992. In 1999 Joan Martin and Sue started the Essex Town Unified Sports
program which is part of Vermont Special Olympics.
Sue lives in Essex with her husband Russ and 2 sons, Adam and Sammy, both great young
men who were born with developmental and physical disabilities. She loves to play games
with friends, hang outside and go to beach in Ocean City, Maryland with family and friends.
Erin Schmitt – Winter Camp Lead Staff, PIA Summer Staff
Erin Schmitt has been a part of PIA for many years now. During the school year, she teaches Art at Essex High School and helps coach their Unified Sports Special Olympics team. Erin has a passion for introducing people to arts and crafts in a way that feels both approachable and like an opportunity for growth, regardless of their individual abilities.
In her free time, she enjoys arts and crafts and spending time with her family, most especially her 3 girls.
Laura Green – Connections Program / Adventures In Granola Coordinator
Laura has accepted the position of Coordinator for the Adventures in Granola Program, the Partners In Adventure’s amazing vocational program! She has been working side by side with Sue Minter for the past few months and now the program is in her hands. Laura also coordinates the Virtual Connections Program as well.
Laura is a Paraprofessional at Essex Elementary School, where she has been serving the Essex community for the last 15 years. Originally from Ohio, Laura received her BFA from the University of Akron.
Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and son, as well as making music with friends, cooking, and gardening. She is excited to be a part of the Partners in Adventures Program!
Daisy Proskauer
Daisy joined Partners In Adventure in 2023 as a counselor at summer camp. She works PIA events throughout the year in addition to respite care. Originally from Newton, Massachusetts, Daisy now lives in Burlington and is getting her bachelor of science in nursing at the University of Vermont. She loves to be in the water, ski, and have dance parties.
Gwyneth Fitzpatrick
Originally from Hamilton, Massachusetts now living in Burlington as a student at UVM. Studying Exercise Science on a pre-physical therapy track. I love the ocean, music, and crafts!
Samantha Harrison
Samantha joined the PIA crew during the summer of 2023 as the on-cite camp director. She recently just graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Originally from Willsboro, New York, Samantha is now living in Vermont and doing respite work. She plans to go back to school to gain a masters degree followed with a career in animal-assisted therapy. Sam loves to spend her free time with her pup, friends and family, or cozied up with a good book.
Emma Wilson
Emma joined Partners In Adventure in 2023 as a counselor at summer camp. She works PIA events throughout the year in addition to respite care. Originally from Groton, Massachusetts, Emma now lives in Burlington and is getting her bachelor’s degree in exercise science at the University of Vermont. She is planning on gaining her master’s degree in occupational therapy after graduation in 2024. She loves the outdoors, bird watching, and all Boston sports!