Theresa Murray-Clasen of Montpelier has been hired to fill the new post of Partnerships Manager at the Community Engagement Lab. Murray-Clasen’s background is steeped in the non-profit and start-up world. She is a long-time education advocate who worked both as a volunteer and in a paid capacity doing environmental work in schools throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. Previously, she had volunteered in the US Peace Corps, and worked for the state in consumer protection. Most recently, she served as Director of Underwriting for the online news organization, VTDigger. She has served on various boards and has been a leader in parent organizations in Montpelier schools.
The Community Engagement Lab (CEL) is a Montpelier-based not-for-profit working to strengthen creativity in learning. Through its Creative Schools Initiative, the organization brings teaching artists and classroom teachers together to create theme-based curriculum which students share with their communities. This year, 50 teachers from 12 schools involving over 1,000 students throughout the state will participate in the initiative. In addition, the CEL is embarking on a seven-year research project to examine community-based educational strategies that help Vermont students succeed after high school. Murray-Clasen will serve as the liaison with educators, teaching artists, other educational organizations and community members for all CEL programs.
She holds a BA in both English and Psychology from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY and lives in Montpelier.
For more information on the Community Engagement Lab, and the Vermont Creative Schools initiative, visit CommunityEngagementLab.org.