Matthew MacNeil, School Services Clinician at Rick Marcotte Central School in South Burlington and staff member in HowardCenter’s School Services Program, is the recipient of the KidSafe Collaborative Outstanding Professional Award for 2010.
This award is one of six given annually by KidSafe Collaborative for “outstanding service and advocacy to individuals or teams who have excelled by making a difference in the safety and well-being of children and families in Chittenden County.”
Rick Marcotte Central School Principal Sue Luck noted of Dr. MacNeil, “Matt embodies what it is to be an outstanding professional concerned about kids’ safety. He is a successful advocate for children and families and a collaborative colleague who has earned the respect of all who work with him. He has positively changed the lives of countless children and families.”
Dr. MacNeil has been has been working with children and families in a variety of roles for over 10 years, receiving an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Saint Michael’s College, an M.Ed. in Human Development Psychology from Harvard University, and an Ed.D. from the University of Vermont Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in May 2008. His doctoral dissertation was entitled “The Preparedness of Vermont Foster Youth for ‘Aging Out’ of State's Custody: A Vermont Research Partnership Study.” He completed non-degree studies in Connectionist Modeling in the Department of Experimental Psychology at Oxford University, U.K., and also was awarded a Stafford Scholar position at the National Institute on Leadership, Disability, and Students Placed at Risk.
Dr. MacNeil will receive his award April 13 at the KidSafe Collaborative Annual Awards Luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Burlington. For more information, call 863-9626.
HowardCenter’s School Services Program operates in 44 schools throughout Chittenden County, with the goal of addressing barriers within the child, home, school, and community that interfere with student achievement.