SHELBURNE — Three educators in the Mount Abraham Unified School District have graduated from the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont School Leadership Project
Monkton Central School Principal Betsy Knox, school district Director of Student Supports Susan Bruhl and Superintendent Patrick Reen joined 22 other educators from across the state in the Shelburne-based center’s Leadership Project. It is 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 before graduating in late 2018. 
Through theoretical discussions, experiential activities and personal reflection, Leadership Project participants considered and applied concepts related to leadership, education systems, organizational change and community.
The final celebration for the Class of 2018 featured social entrepreneur and educator Hal Colston as the keynote speaker. He inspired 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.