Our Story

Roots of the Foundation

Teacher-Driven, Transformational Change

The Rowland Foundation was established with the generous support of Barry and Wendy Rowland in 2008. The Rowland Foundation’s focus on school culture and climate came from our co-founder and first Executive Director Chuck Scranton. Chuck’s vision for teacher-driven, transformational change led to the first cohort of Rowland Fellows in 2009.

In every year since then, up to six Vermont schools have received a Rowland Fellowship award, and each year’s cohort has become a close-knit learning community for collaboration and innovation.

The Annual Rowland Conference, which first took place in 2011, has grown into Vermont’s largest educational conference and brings together Rowland Fellows, teachers, students, administrators, policymakers, and community members from around the state to share new thinking about making schools more equitable, inclusive, and democratic.

The Rowland Foundation is proud to continue its mission to invest in Vermont teachers to positively change the culture and climate of schools. In 2022, we expanded our work to include Fellowship proposals from middle grades educators. With over 100 Rowland Fellows around the state, we are grateful for this vibrant network of educators. As we continue to grow, we look ahead with optimism about the collective impact these amazing educators continue to have on Vermont schools.

Our Philosophy

Our Benefactors

about-img — In Memoriam: Barry Rowland 1935-2018,
Wendy Rowland 1936-2019

Barry and Wendy Rowland

Barry and Wendy Rowland were great supporters of education in Vermont for many years. Barry Rowland was chief administrative officer for Eaton Vance, a Boston money management firm, for more than 30 years. In addition to generously giving to their local Vermont community in a number of ways, Barry and Wendy became deeply invested in the future of education at Burr & Burton Academy by giving the largest donation to the school’s endowment in its 180-year history and the largest gift to any secondary school in the state’s history.

Barry’s attachment to Vermont began in 1951 when his father bought a vacation home here, and Barry and Wendy were residents of Londonderry for more than 20 years. They lived most recently at Middletown Farm, a working dairy farm which is still operated by their grandson Myles Rawson.

The Rowland Foundation is a testament to Barry and Wendy’s deep appreciation for teachers and educational opportunity for all. Barry deeply valued high quality education and wanted to make sure that all students had a chance to thrive in school. As a former high school French teacher, Wendy held a special place in her heart for teachers and the important work they do in our communities.

Sadly, Barry Rowland passed away in 2018 and Wendy in 2019. Their legacy is continued by Barry’s brother Dan Rowland, their daughter Heidi Lynn, and their grandson Carter Rawson, who all serve on the Rowland Foundation Board of Trustees.