BHS Leadership Team

Allie O’Hara, Director of Counseling

Allie O’Hara is honored to continue her work with the Burlington community in her new role as Director of Counseling, following two years as a School Counselor at BHS. She brings over a decade of experience in school counseling, social-emotional learning, and student support systems across Vermont. Allie is deeply committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, identity, or pathway, has the opportunity to thrive in high school and beyond. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and is an active member of the American School Counselor Association, having earned nine specialized credentials focused on trauma-informed practices, postsecondary planning, and academic achievement.

Her professional journey has included roles as a School Counselor, Director of Guidance, SEL coach, and 504 Coordinator, giving her a broad and compassionate perspective on student needs. With a strengths-based approach, Allie centers her work on supporting the whole student: nurturing mental health, fostering academic growth, and guiding students through their postsecondary and career journeys. At the heart of her work is a deep investment in Burlington’s diverse community and a belief in the power of collaborative, student-centered systems. Originally from Massachusetts, Allie now calls Vermont home, where she lives with her family and enjoys all the beauty the Green Mountain State has to offer.

Jada Payea, Assistant Principal

Jada Payea, Interim Assistant Principal — Jada Payea, Assistant Principal

After majoring in pre-medicine and pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Vermont, Jada spent 13 years working in the large animal veterinary field before transitioning to education, earning her Master’s at Saint Michael’s College. Spending 10 years working at BSD’s alternative program, Horizons, as the science teacher, Jada wanted to step into administration to be a stronger advocate for students, with equity and restorative practices being cornerstones of her practice. Currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership, Jada specifically chose to take this next step in her career at BHS because of the richness of cultures, languages and experiences students and families bring to the BHS community. Being a part of this community offers an opportunity like no other school in our state, and Jada looks forward to continuing her journey at BHS.

Sabrina Westdijk, Principal

I came to BHS in Fall 2023 after serving as an AP and then Principal at Edmunds Middle School for three years. Prior to entering administration, I was a high school English Language Arts teacher for fourteen years. A native Texan, I’ve spent parts of my life in just about every region of the country, and I taught in Arkansas and Oregon prior to relocating to Vermont in 2012. I am also a 2017 Rowland Fellow; my fellowship work centered on developing effective, student-centered professional learning communities to support proficiency-based teaching and learning. I believe in the project of education and its possibilities.

Throughout my career as an educator, mentor, and coach, I’ve sought to center equity, service, collaboration, and relationships. I believe that the fundamental purpose of educational leadership is to establish the conditions that allow all learners (students and adults) to thrive. As someone who feels passionate about developing sustainable systems and supporting a culture of continuous and collective growth, I feel honored to be part of the BHS community.

Our students, staff and families have shown incredible resilience, creativity, and compassion in our unique downtown location, and it has been wonderful to build relationships with these talented and committed folks. I am deeply invested in serving this learning community, not only professionally but personally: Burlington is my home, my daughter and stepson attend school in BSD, and I look forward to being here for many years to come.

When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and writing fiction, tending my ever-expanding vegetable and flower gardens, baking bread and pastries, and getting outside with my dog. I’m also trying, with what can be best described as “intermittent dedication”, to become a runner.

Heather Win, Assistant Principal

I am thrilled to be joining the extraordinary students and educators of Burlington High School as an Assistant Principal next year. The creative energy, resilience, and care-driven commitment of the BHS educators are what led me to seek a professional home at BHS.

With two decades of diverse experiences in education, encompassing ELA and Performing Arts instruction, program administration, and school culture development, I’m eager to bring a wealth of perspective to Burlington High School. Alongside my academic journey, which includes a Master’s degree in Public Administration and nearing completion of a Master’s in School Leadership through the Upper Valley Educators Institute, I’ve had the privilege of working in various educational settings across Southern California and New York City, and locally in Winooski, Milton, and Vergennes. I’ve had the unique experience of supporting several schools through the transformative journey towards more equitable, culturally responsive, and inclusive teaching and learning environments. My passion for developing robust systems that uplift core values and leveraging proficiency-based learning models to provide rigor and meaningful learning experiences for all students will inform my work as part of the BHS administrative team.

Outside of school, you can find me embracing the outdoors with my partner and two sports-loving sons, ages 10 and 12. In addition to honing my “almost-proficient” gardening skills, I’m often found enjoying the laughter of long-form improv, delving into a good book or podcast, and finding creative ways to stay connected to friends and family near and far.