Today, Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable (Roundtable) announced the recipient of the 2016 New Medallion Award, which recognizes exceptional school leadership and progress toward the goals inherent in Act 46 of equity, access, and quality of educational experiences for all Vermont students.

According to Win Smith, Chair of the Roundtable’s Board of Directors, “For 15 years the Roundtable annually recognized schools for the innovative and creative ways in which they delivered excellence in the whole educational experience, despite increasing social and economic pressures. Now in the Act 46 era, the Roundtable believes it is all the more important to recognize exceptional, innovative leadership that best prepares our students for college and career readiness. So, it gives us great pleasure to announce the 2016 winner is Ms. Rachael Potts, Internship Coordinator and Employment Specialist from Harwood Union High School.”

Ms. Potts was one of three finalists for the Vermont Teacher of the Year Award. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College and a Master’s Degree in Education from The University of Vermont. In her work, Ms. Potts interacts with community members and local employers to assist students with establishing internships and jobs shadowing. According to Ms. Potts, “It’s my job to help students figure out where their genius lies and how their interests could tie into their school day. The quality and depth of learning that takes place when students take advantage of these opportunities is truly inspiring.”

The New Medallion Award comes with a framed certificate and $5,000 monetary prize to the school, to be directed by Ms. Potts in furtherance of her work on behalf of Harwood students. The Award will be presented to Ms. Potts during the Roundtable’s Annual Meeting in January.

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The Vermont Business Roundtable (VBR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of chief executive officers of Vermont’s leading private and nonprofit employers, representing geographic diversity and all major sectors of the Vermont economy. The Roundtable is committed to sustaining a sound economy and preserving Vermont’s unique quality of life by studying and making recommendations on statewide public policy issues. Learn more at www.vtroundtable.org.