Jacqueline Roberson from Horizons at New Canaan Country School has been named as one of three recipients of the 2019 Lyn McNaught Teacher Award. Named for the former executive director of Horizons at New Canaan Country School and the first executive director of Horizons National, the honor is awarded to educators who have excelled in Horizons’ classrooms by providing exemplary opportunities for young people across the country.
Roberson serves as senior program dean of Students and Culture in the Summer Program and during the school year she is a dedicated academic coach, providing college and career counseling for six Horizons high school students. She is also a social worker for the Norwalk Public School System, where she has worked for 31 years.
The recipient of countless statewide and local awards recognizing her leadership as a youth advocate and mentor, Roberson has been honored extensively for her work with Horizons at New Canaan Country School, including receiving the Most Inspirational Teacher award three times, and has an annual college scholarship award named in her honor.
“Jackie is an inspiration to both students and colleagues,” Horizons at NCCS Executive Director Nancy von Euler said. “Her dedication to student success in school and in life is unparalleled and our students know that she believes in them and will support them, but will also hold them accountable. Students remember and value that.”
The awards were given at the Horizons National Annual Dinner, held in conjunction with the Horizons Annual Conference, which convenes Horizons program leaders, teachers, and board members from the more than 55 Horizons programs in 20 states.
Horizons at NCCS is a non-profit established to transform the lives of underserved children and youth through year-round academic and enrichment programs to inspire learning, encourage success, and close the opportunity gap. Founded in 1964, Horizons at NCCS is the first in a nationwide network of programs that are successfully closing the opportunity gap experienced by under-resourced students. Horizons at NCCS builds deep and lasting relationships with the more than 400 K-12 Norwalk and Stamford students we serve. Our six-week Summer Program and year-round academic and enrichment supports and opportunities are helping our students imagine and achieve a brighter future for themselves. Last year 100 percent of our seniors graduated from high school and every one of them was accepted into college.
More information can be found at horizonskids.org.
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