Cheryl B. Flood '68, G'71

Cheryl Flood is a lifelong educator, teacher, mentor, and leader who devoted her career to giving thousands of children a bright head start at life and learning.

In 1973, she became a pioneer in integrating students with special needs into mainstream classrooms across New York. She later became director of the Rye Presbyterian Nursery School (RPNS) in Rye, NY, and transformed it into one of the nation's first and most successful Reggio Emilia-inspired centers, with an approach focused on experiential learning and a relationship driven environment.

With inspiring vision and unmatched dedication over her 31-year tenure, she built RPNS from a morning program with 60 children into a full day nursery school with over 300 students each year. Her work in special and early childhood education is well known and respected throughout the country.

Cheryl earned a Bachelor's of Science in education in 1968 and a Master's of Education in 1971 from UVM. Her many accomplishments are a testament to the knowledge and skills she developed but also to her fortitude and indomitable spirit in the face of significant personal adversity.

Her husband, Deane Flood '64, G'70 who she met and married at UVM, died from cancer at 49, and she lost her youngest son Eric at 18 in a tragic accident. Through these difficult times, Cheryl remained dedicated to her students, their families, and her community.

Now retired, Cheryl volunteers throughout Rye and also spends time with her sons and grandchildren at the family's lake house on Malletts Bay in Colchester, Vermont.