I am submitting my sister, Jean Benish Potter for the distinguished alumni of Norwin. Jean began her career as a teacher in the school district. She taught kindergarten at Shaw Elementary for two years. She left that position to become the Director of Early Childhood Education for the West Virginia State Department of Education in Charleston, West Virginia. While at the Department of Education, she was responsible for the implementation and administration of the largest single funded education program in the State�s history. During her tenure at the WVDOE, she also taught undergraduate and graduate courses at various colleges and universities in West Virginia including West Virginia University.

Jean became an integral part of White House education policy-making by becoming the youngest Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for the U.S. Department of Education. Shortly thereafter, she was elevated to the Acting Assistant Secretary of Education by President Reagan. In this capacity, she was responsible for the United States Elementary and Secondary Education Programs including the administration of Title I and II, Impact Aid for Schools, Rural Education, Women�s Educational Equity and Migrant Education Program. She managed a $3.5 billion budget and 375 employees. She established the Blue Ribbon School Awards Program, the Standards for School Excellence Program. In her capacity, she advised and consulted with the President and his staff, Congress and the various departments in the Federal Government. She assisted the States with the implementation of the new block grant programs, assisted with the development of the President�s education budget and plans for education and assumed many other responsibilities too numerous to mention. She represented the President and Vice President Secretary of Education in matters relating to Elementary and Secondary Education before Congress.
Later, she became the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Environmental Protection Agency where she assisted the Administrator and Chief of Staff in the day-to-day duties involving environmental protection.
She earned the Edinboro Alumni of the Year Award in 1999 at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
Jean is also an award-winning author, having authored numerous books for children as well as curriculum books for teachers. She continues to write and develop curriculum materials.
Appointments:
Former Member Board of Directors: West Virginia Humanities Council
(Appointment by Governor Cecil H. Underwood)
Former Member Board of Directors: Alliance for the Arts
Current Member of Presidential Commission on Presidential Scholars
(Appointed by President George W. Bush and reappointed by President Barack Obama)
Current Member: PEACES Board of Directors, Charleston, WV
Awards:
The Washington State Press Women�s educational book of the year
The National Press Women�s first place winner in educational publications
Benjamin Franklin Award for outstanding children�s book
Two outstanding achievement awards for activity books by Parent�s Guide to Children�s Media, Inc., 1998
Honors outstanding achievement in activity books by Parent�s Guide to Children�s Media, Inc., 1998
Best educational book by Early Childhood News, 1998

I am submitting a copy of her vita, but am not sure it is up to date. Also you may review her credientials
She is pictured with Justice Anthony Scalia in the photo.