SHELBURNE — The Snelling Center for Government has announced that Jessica Lynch of Shoreham has graduated from the Vermont School Leadership Project.
Lynch is one of two pre-kindergarten-6th grade elementary curriculum leaders at Addison Central School District in Middlebury. She and her colleague Joy Dobson, also a Snelling graduate, oversee the development and implementation of the IB’s Primary Years Program (PYP) curriculum for students ages 3-12 years old.
As a participant in the Vermont School Leadership Project, Lynch joined 24 other educators from across the state in a unique program that offers intensive professional development for superintendents, principals, curriculum and special education directors, as well as other education professionals who have proven leadership abilities and seriously aspire to leadership roles.
The Class of 2018 embarked on their leadership journey in July 2017 and met for seven overnight sessions with a total of 18 seminar days. 
Through theoretical discussions, experiential activities and personal reflection, associates considered and applied concepts related to leadership, education systems, organizational change and community.
Social entrepreneur and educator Hal Colston served as the keynote speaker at the final celebration for the Class of 2018, inspiring the group to remember to bring love into their work with students. Colston’s message highlighted the importance of their role and their work in not only the lives of students but also the needs of society.
The Snelling Center for Government is a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to fostering responsible and ethical civic leadership, encouraging public service by private citizens, and promoting informed citizen participation in shaping public policy in Vermont.