波士頓酒店食品業工人支持吳弭競選連任

BOSTON’S HOTEL AND FOOD WORKERS UNION ENDORSES MAYOR WU

Union Credits Mayor with Long Record of Partnership; Is First Private-Sector Union to Endorse Mayor

Boston, MA – The Boston-area hotel and food workers union, UNITE HERE Local 26, today announced their endorsement of Michelle Wu’s candidacy for Mayor. The 12,000-member union is one of the most diverse and politically powerful organizations in the City of Boston, playing key roles in recent municipal races. According to Local 26 President Carlos Aramayo: “Affordable housing, clean air, and making sure one job is enough to raise a family on – these are Mayor Wu’s priorities and they are, without question, hotel workers’ and food workers’ priorities. Hospitality workers are ready and eager to begin knocking on doors with Mayor Wu to achieve these goals.”

UNITE HERE Local 26 was an early backer of Michelle Wu when she first ran for Boston City Council in 2013. Since then, the Union has worked closely with Wu on everything from successfully crafting regulations regarding short-term rentals to support on picket lines leading to one of the highest standards of living for hotel workers in the country. The Mayor was instrumental in helping to secure recent major victories for hotel workers, which included $10 wage increases and landmark job protections in historic contracts citywide.

“Thank you to the hardworking hotel and food workers of UNITE HERE Local 26 who keep our city running everyday and whose inspiring leadership has changed the lives of families across Boston and beyond. I am honored to work in partnership with the members and leaders of Local 26 advocating for families across the city so that one job should be enough, and Boston can be a home for everyone,” the Mayor said.

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND OFFICE OF BLACK MALE ADVANCEMENT LAUNCH THIRD ANNUAL COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT GRANTS

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND OFFICE OF BLACK MALE ADVANCEMENT LAUNCH THIRD ANNUAL COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT GRANTS

Applications open now for organizations to apply for grants totaling $500,000 to build capacity and increase programming and support for men and boys across Boston’s neighborhoods

BOSTON - Thursday, December 5, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Black Male Advancement (BMA) today announced that applications are open for BMA’s 2025 Community Empowerment grants. The Community Empowerment grants represent a $500,000 investment designed to support non-profit organizations dedicated to empowering and improving outcomes for men and boys in Boston. These grants will support organizations in expanding their work and amplifying their impact across the city’s neighborhoods, with funding provided through the Black Male Advancement operating budget. Applying organizations may request financial support up to $20,000.  “I’m grateful to the Office of Black Male Advancement for their critical work to invest in and empower our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We’re excited to relaunch these Community Empowerment grants and look forward to partnering with the community in our shared goal to provide multi-faceted, comprehensive programming and support that uplift our Black men and boys across neighborhoods.” "The third year of our Community Empowerment Small Grants represents a commitment to build stronger, more resilient communities by investing in organizations that uplift our Black men and boys,” said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Chief of Equity and Inclusion. “By pairing these grants with capacity-building support, we aim to create sustainable change and foster lasting opportunities that resonate across Boston's neighborhoods." Building on this series of grants entering a third consecutive year, BMA is providing more resources and support to ensure that selected grantees are supported throughout the process and beyond. To build community amongst new awardees, BMA staff will facilitate a community of practice for grantees. Grantees will also now gain access to BMA’s Capacity Building and Impact Institute and enhanced mentoring opportunities through a partnership with Mass Mentoring. Together, these two new programs offered to grantees will provide personalized coaching, nonprofit training courses, expert tools, and resources to selected organizations aimed at enhancing their impact in the short term and building long-term capacity.   “For three years, our Office has supported local organizations doing critical work in Boston neighborhoods,” said Frank Farrow, Executive Director of the Office of Black Male Advancement. “On a daily basis, their direct impact is felt within our communities. We are investing in their systemic work to create lasting change for Black men and boys across Boston today.” The Community Empowerment grants will prioritize programs that expand one of the following seven focus areas: Mentoring and Out-of-School Time: providing quality mentoring, literacy and out-of-school time programs when and where they are needed, offering developmentally appropriate learning environments that support social emotional and physical wellbeing.  Youth and Young Adult Pathways: providing educational and career pathways for youth and young adults navigating their own course to economic prosperity. Housing Mobility: providing a continuum of housing opportunities, resources, and supports that are effectively resulting in pathways to affordable housing and homeownership. Economic Inclusion and Wealth Building: supporting individuals to experience financial empowerment and economic mobility. Workforce Training and Development: helping unemployed and underemployed individuals attain livable wage jobs and helping businesses with training for employees to support a pipeline of skilled workers. Fatherhood Engagement: supporting fatherhood education, case management, and peer-to-peer support to strengthen positive father-child interaction, improve social and economic outcomes for fathers and their families and improve healthy relationships. Mental Health and Wellness: helping support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of men.  Applications are now open and are due Monday, January 6, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Grant applicants must be based in Boston, and have a successful track record of working positively with Black men and boys.  In 2023 and 2024, the BMA Community Empowerment Grants, totaling $1.5 million dollars, were allocated to 115 community-based organizations across Boston neighborhoods. The Office of Black Male Advancement will hold a virtual information session on Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 at 12:00 p.m for interested applicants through Zoom. Interested applicants can also visit the BMA website to register. To explore additional funding opportunities offered by the City of Boston, visit www.boston.gov/grants. For questions regarding City of Boston grant programs, please email grants@boston.gov. The Office of Black Male Advancement works to empower Black men & boys and to ensure they have equitable access to opportunities in the City. The Office also focuses on policies, programs, resources, and local and national partnerships. Additionally, BMA directs and supports the efforts of the Black Men and Boys Commission and My Brother’s Keeper Boston.

波士頓市 Funding Update

 

The Funding Update

FEDERAL Field Initiated Projects Program (Development), 12/09/2024 The purpose of the Field Initiated Projects program is to develop knowledge, methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that will maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family/caregiver support, and economic and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, especially people with the greatest support needs. Grants are available for research and for development. Interests include projects addressing people with disabilities from underserved communities; the relationship between climate change and the needs, experiences, and outcomes of people with disabilities; oral health and people with disabilities; how to make airline travel accessible for people with disabilities; how to improve emergency and disaster preparedness plans and systems relative to the needs of people with disabilities; the criminal justice system and people with disabilities; people with disabilities experiencing long COVID; school experiences among children with disabilities; and social and built environments that facilitate fully inclusive play and participation among children with disabilities. Grants up to $250,000. Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, 1/13/2025 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry, is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). CFP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects. FY2025 Farm to School Grant-Turnkey, 1/10/2025 The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is designed to increase the availability of local foods in schools and connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for school meals. Grants can launch new farm-to-school programs or expand existing efforts. There are three Turnkey Grant project tracks available in FY 2025: Action Planning, Agricultural Education, and Edible Gardens. Eligible Applicants:Independent school districts, City or township governments, and Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. Grants up to $50,000. SYSTEM FOR AWARDS MANAGEMENT UPDATE: The federal government has transitioned from DUNS to the Unique Entity ID. A UEI is required to apply for and receive federal awards. The process is extensive; plan ahead. For more information, go to the FAQ page at SAM.gov. STATE Nonprofit Security Grant Program - National Security Supplemental, 12/9/2024                The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) is the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for all funds received by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As such, OGR manages and administers the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in Massachusetts. This National Security Supplemental (NSS) program provides federal funding support for facility hardening and other physical and cyber security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high-risk of terrorist or other extremist attack. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations (as described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) at high risk of terrorist attacks. Application Assistance Webinar Register here: December 9, 2024, at 11:00 am.  Scroll down to "Important Links" on CommBUYS to see Newly Posted Bids CITY FY25 Weaving Well-Being Grant Program, 1/16/2025                                                        To enhance the well-being of immigrants in Boston, destigmatize mental health challenges, and encourage non-clinical, culturally and linguistically sensitive practices as a form of therapy, the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) is pleased to announce a third round of its Weaving Well-being Grants. Nonprofit organizations that currently provide or plan to incorporate non-clinical wellness activities in their programming are encouraged to apply. Grants will be disbursed to immigrant-led and/or immigrant-serving nonprofits that are working across diverse immigrant communities. Grants up to $15,000.00. FY25 Bridge The Gap Mini-Grant Program, 3/6/2025 The Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Services exists to find innovative ways to support veterans,servicemembers, and their families to live healthy & thriving lives. In recognition of this mission, the office will award mini-grants to organizations that support the veteran community of Boston and “Bridge the Gap” that exists after possible allocation of federal or state benefits. Funds will be used to implement projects and programs that support, honor, recognize and improve the overall quality of life of the City of Boston veterans, military community, and their families. Focus areas include: Housing, Transportation, Health and Wellness, Upward Economic Mobility, Legal Services, Educational/Historical Programming. Grants up to $9,999.00. Check out all grant opportunities from the City of Boston here! You can also view Office of Workforce Development grants, Community Preservation Act grants, and Public Health Commission grants. Bids are updated continuously on the City of Boston Supplier Portal. The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation, 12/31/2024 The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that provide programs and resources to help strengthen diverse communities across the United States. Funding is focused on three areas: education, including nonprofits focused on education resources and opportunities supporting diverse communities across the country, as well as groups that focus on STEM, early childhood learning, and safety; engaging the community, including financial literacy, food insecurity, environmental conservation, animal welfare and advocacy, and health and wellness initiatives; and promoting equity, including building meaningful relationships with community organizations that support equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion. Live Más Scholarship 2025, 1/8/2025                                                                                        The Live Más Scholarship is designed for students ages 16 to 26 who are pursuing higher education, preparing for the workforce, or using their passion to ignite change in their communities and beyond. The program aims to empower the nation’s next generation of dreamers, innovators and creators—those whose passions don’t fall into the conventional “academic” or “athletic” qualifying categories of traditional scholarship programs. Applicants are required to submit a two-minute video describing their passion and how they plan to make a difference. In 2025, the foundation will be awarding up to $14 million in Live Más Scholarships, with up to $4 million being awarded to Taco Bell restaurant employees. To be eligible, applicants must be a legal resident of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, located within the United States, or the dependent child of an active duty member of the U.S. military, who is at least 16 years of age and no older than 26 years of age. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary educational program located in the United States. (including accredited two- and four-year colleges, universities, vocational-technical, and trade schools) and in good academic standing.  The JAMS Foundation-ACR Initiative for Students and Youth, 1/10/2025 The JAMS Foundation-ACR Initiative for Students and Youth provides support for conflict resolution education and training for pre-K through 12th grade students and youth in the United States, as well as the adults working with these youth populations. The 2025 funding cycle focuses on the development of systemwide educational policies and procedures that effectively integrate conflict resolution and restorative practice training in order to foster a more peaceful and positive school climate. Proposed projects should build upon the current work of the school system’s policies and practices regarding youth involved in fights, disruptive behavior, or violating school conduct rules, moving them to become more restorative in nature and focus on resolving the conflict with the least amount of disruption for the student, teacher, peers, and family. Requests for funding may range up to $20,000 in year one, with funding for a second year contingent on accomplishments at the end of the first year. The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant, 1/15/2025 The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance, seeks to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military service members and veterans exposed to trauma, as well as their families and caregivers, through arts-based community engagement projects. The grants support non-clinical programs taking place in healthcare, community, or virtual settings that engage military-connected individuals through experiences of art or art-making to promote creative expression, social connectedness, resilience, and independence and adaptation to civilian life. Supported programs have involved a range of arts activities, including visual, written, and performing arts offered through single events, drop-in programs, and ongoing engagement led by artists or creative arts therapists. Nonprofit organizations and state, local, and tribal government entities that have at least three years of experience in presenting and producing arts-based projects or programming for military communities are eligible to apply. The American Society of Breast Surgeons Foundation, 1/17/2025 The American Society of Breast Surgeons Foundation grant program seeks to improve the standard of care for breast disease patients. Grants are awarded for projects in the United States and in other countries in the following categories: education, with a focus on raising awareness of breast cancer and increasing the capabilities of effective patient breast health education programs; community outreach, with a focus on community-based nonprofit organizations providing education on breast health and screening to underserved, uninsured, and low-income populations; and research specific to patient breast health or breast disease. Grants up to $5,000.00. Teiger Foundation, 1/28/2025 Teiger Foundation supports curator-led initiatives in the field of contemporary visual art in the United States. Supported initiatives may include group exhibitions, single-artist surveys, participatory and community-engaged art projects, digital exhibitions, live and virtual performance in the context of the visual arts, and as-yet-unknown curatorial forms involving contemporary visual art and artists. Curators affiliated with 501(c)(3) nonprofit institutions devoted to presenting visual art may apply for the following grants: grants of up to $150,000 to support single projects led by curators at organizations of all sizes; grants of up to $150,000 to support curators planning three years of programming at organizations with an annual budget of $3.5 million and below; grants of up to $75,000 to support curators at organizations of all sizes hosting exhibitions that originated elsewhere; and grants of up to $50,000 to support curatorial research and development at the earliest stages of a project. Grants varies by category up to $150,000. The Peace Development Fund, 1/31/2025                                                                                The Peace Development Fund believes that the change in values needed to establish a more just and peaceful world can come about only if it is strongly rooted in local communities that value the importance of building movements to create systemic social change. The Fund’s Community Organizing Grants support community-based organizations in the U.S., Haiti, and Mexico that are working for social justice. Funding is provided in the following areas: organizing to shift power, working to build a movement, dismantling oppression, and creating new structures. Nonprofit organizations with budgets under $250,000 that are directly engaged in community organizing are eligible to apply.  RESOURCE TABLE, NEWS, AND CITY EVENTS Enchanted Trolley Tour Boston’s Enchanted Trolley Tour continues the festive tradition of lighting holiday trees throughout Boston. For the 28th year, the Mayor's Enchanted Trolley Tour will continue the festive tradition of lighting holiday trees while bringing holiday spirit to children across Boston. The event is sponsored by Bank of America, and includes visits with Santa, tree lightings, and more. This year, the Mayor's Enchanted Trolley Tour will start on Saturday, December 7, and end on Sunday, December 8, in neighborhoods throughout Boston. Saturday, December 7th   11 a.m. - Hastings Lot, West Roxbury   12 p.m. - Wolcott Square, Readville   1 p.m. - Mattapan Square   2 p.m. - Hyde Square, Jamaica Plain   3 p.m. - J.P. Monument, Jamaica Plain   3:45 p.m. - Brigham Circle, Mission Hill   4:30 p.m. - Bolling Building, Roxbury   5:45 p.m. - Blackstone Square, South End   6:45 p.m. - Oak Square, Brighton Sunday, December 8th   12 p.m. - Codman Square, Dorchester   1 p.m. - Adams Corner, Dorchester   2 p.m. - M Street Park, South Boston   3 p.m. - Beach Street and Harrison Ave, Chinatown   4 p.m. - Paul Revere Mall, North End   5 p.m. - Winthrop Square (the Training Field), Charlestown   6:15 p.m. - Maverick Square, East Boston Learn more about the lastest City of Boston News, this feed is updated daily. Another way to Stay Connected-Sign up for email updates from the City of Boston, including information on big events and upcoming traffic and parking restrictions. (Scroll down to the middle of the page to sign up for the email updates). Research Statistics All City of Boston Newsletters        Daily Updates from the City of Boston News, Resources, Applications, Permits, Jobs, Events and more!

麻州長提名4人出任地方及波士頓市法院法官

Governor Healey Nominates Judges to District Court and Boston Municipal Court 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey nominated Connor Barusch, Nicholas Brandt and Dana Pierce to serve as Associate Justices of the Boston Municipal Court, and Hilary McCamic to serve as an Associate Justice of the District Court. The nominees will now be sent to the Governor’s Council for confirmation. If confirmed, all vacancies on the Boston Municipal Court will be filled. 

“I’m proud to nominate these four attorneys who will all bring significant experience and expertise to the bench and ensure that their courts serve the best interests of our state,” said Governor Healey.  

“I am excited to work with the Governor’s Council to move these nominees forward and continue to strengthen the courts throughout Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.   

The Boston Municipal Court Department serves the City of Boston, handling criminal and civil matters while maintaining a commitment to the rule of law, and protecting human dignity through respect, compassion, correction and the fair resolution of cases.   

The Boston Municipal Court Department has 30 judges in eight court divisions in Brighton, Central (downtown), Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Roxbury, South Boston and West Roxbury. The Boston Municipal Court also has jurisdiction to review appeals of decisions made by some government agencies on issues such as unemployment compensation and firearms licensing.   

Governor Healey has already nominated three attorneys to the Boston Municipal Court: Rebeca G. Figueroa, Vanessa Vélez, and Steven S. Kim. 

For more information about the Boston Municipal Court, visit its homepage.    

The District Court Department hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence of up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties, all misdemeanors, and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages are not likely to be more than $50,000 and small claims cases up to $7,000. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the state.  

Governor Healey has already nominated 13 attorneys to the District Court: Jerald Parisella, Heath Antonio, Leo Fama, Francis V. Kenneally, Courtney C. Linnehan, Marjorie P. Tynes, Sarah Kennedy, Edward Krippendorf, Frederick DeCubellis, Gregory Teran, Amanda Ward, Stuart Hurowitz and Polly Phillips.  

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage. 

About the Nominees:  

Connor Barusch currently serves as the Director of Criminal Defense Training at the Committee of Public Counsel Services (CPCS) where they oversee the training and material development throughout the office. Prior to this, Attorney Barusch was the Trial Attorney at CPCS where they represented clients throughout Boston and Roxbury and later served as a Training Attorney where they organized and coached at numerous trainings, including both short webinars and multi-week trainings. Attorney Barusch has also served as a faculty member at the National Criminal Defense College since 2021, and previously clerked for the Honorable Justice Duffly, Massachusetts Appeals Court. Attorney Barusch is a Founding Advocate for the Massachusetts Transgender Legal Advocates and a member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association. They have a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College and a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law. 

Nick Brandt currently serves as a Deputy Legal Counsel in the Administrative Office of the District Court, where he advises the Chief Justice, judges, and Clerk-Magistrates on legal and policy matters, develops educational programming, and is a staff member of the District Court Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders and the District Court Criminal Committee. Previously, Attorney Brandt served as a Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of Governor Charlie Baker, where he advised the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and their staff on public safety and education issues, including executive clemency, police reform, and pandemic-related impacts on prisons and public schools. Prior to that, Attorney Brandt was an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County, first as a trial attorney with cases in the Boston Municipal, District, Juvenile, and Superior Courts, and then as an appellate attorney appearing before the Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. Attorney Brandt began his legal career as a law clerk to the justices of the Superior Court. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Williams College and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. 

Dana Pierce is the Director of Externships at Harvard Law School where she leads the placement process for all clinical externship students while also providing general clinical program advising to students and ensuring that all externship placements comply with ABA standards. Before this, Attorney Pierce served as an Assistant District Attorney, first in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and later in the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.  At the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Attorney Pierce served as the Chief of the District and Municipal Courts, and at the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, she served as the Chief of the District Courts.  In both positions she oversaw the prosecution of all District Court and Juvenile cases countywide and served as an advisor to the District Attorney on caselaw updates and personnel matters. Attorney Pierce has also served as Vice President and Counsel to State Street Bank and Trust Company, where she managed the resolution of legal, operational, and policy related inquiries for several international entities.  She holds a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University and a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law.  

Hilary McCamic has served as a Staff Attorney with the Committee for Public Counsel Services where she has represented indigent criminal defendants in the Lawrence Public Defender office since 2012. Attorney McCamic is responsible for handling serious criminal matters in the District and Superior Courts. Prior to this, Attorney McCamic owned a solo private practice focused exclusively on criminal defense, where she handled a caseload of twenty-five to forty cases including life felonies and aggravated felonies.  While in private practice, she also served as an Essex County Bar Advocate representing indigent clients in the District and Superior Courts.  She has worked as a criminal defense attorney since 2003. Attorney McCamic holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Elmira College, a Master of Science in Film from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Hampshire. For the last several years, she has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Lawrence Bar Association.

特殊教育老師Luisa Sparrow贏得2025年度教師獎

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year 

Boston teacher Luisa Sparrow receives state’s top educator award  

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that Luisa Sparrow, a special education teacher for fifth- and sixth-grade students at the Oliver Hazard Perry School in South Boston, is the 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Governor Maura Healey, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Elementary and Secondary Education Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston and Mayor Michelle Wu joined Superintendent Mary Skipper at the school to make the announcement during an assembly today.  

“My mom was a school nurse and my stepdad was a public school teacher, so I have a deep appreciation for the incredible work that our educators and staff do day in and day out for their students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It was so special to have the opportunity to congratulate and celebrate Ms. Sparrow today for her commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment that helps all of her students grow and succeed together.” 

“Ms. Sparrow is a great representative of the many amazing educators we have in Massachusetts,” Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said. “As we recognize her and the team at the Perry School, I hope people will take the opportunity to thank the inspirational teachers in their own lives.” 

The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program is the state’s top award for educators and annually recognizes excellence in teaching across Massachusetts through the selection of a teacher who exemplifies the dedication, commitment and positive contributions of educators statewide. Over the coming year, Ms. Sparrow will have speaking opportunities within Massachusetts and will travel to California and Washington, D.C. to meet with teachers of the year from the rest of the nation. 

“Ms. Sparrow is an example of the exceptional educators we have in Massachusetts who go above and beyond to support all of their students and foster an inclusive learning environment,” said Education Secretary Tutwiler. “It’s a pleasure to celebrate with her, her dedicated team, students and school community today.”  

“Ms. Sparrow empowers her students, values the work of her colleagues and builds bridges across the school,” Acting Commissioner Johnston said. “Congratulations to her and to our finalists, Ms. Ferrari and Ms. Magas!”  

Ms. Sparrow, who has worked with colleagues to create inclusive opportunities for her students and the rest of the school, is the eighth Massachusetts Teacher of the Year to come from the Boston Public Schools. She is the 63rd recipient of this award and automatically becomes Massachusetts’ candidate for the National Teacher of the Year program. 

"I am grateful for the educators across Massachusetts and Boston who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to helping students reach their best and brightest futures,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Teachers like Luisa Sparrow go above and beyond to nurture our young people and build up our school communities, and I am proud to highlight this outstanding member of our BPS community as the MA Teacher of the Year.” 

The selection process for the 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year began in early 2024 with a call for nominations from administrators, teachers, students, parents and others. An initial review of each application led to the selection of eight semifinalists, who then submitted additional supporting material. Three finalists were selected and interviewed by a panel that included prior Massachusetts Teachers of the Year. That panel then recommended two names to Acting Commissioner Johnston, who made the final decision. 

“My students, just like all others with significant disabilities, deserve the opportunity to learn alongside their neurotypical peers not because they are able do many of the same tasks, but simply because everyone deserves a chance to belong,” Ms. Sparrow said. 

For the first time this year, the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year will be sponsored by Wellpoint, a health benefits company based in Woburn. Wellpoint is giving a $10,000 grant to Ms. Sparrow’s school and will also be honoring the two finalists. In addition to Ms. Sparrow, the finalists for 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year were Jennifer Ferrari, a visual arts teacher at Lane Elementary School in Bedford, and Kristen Magas, an engineering teacher at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin. 

“Wellpoint is proud to honor the hardworking educators in Massachusetts who inspire our next generation of leaders,” said David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint. “In addition to supporting their whole health, we are committed to supporting educators’ work in the classroom and celebrating the Commonwealth’s outstanding educators. Congratulations to Ms. Sparrow, Ms. Ferrari, Ms. Magas, and their schools!”  

The semifinalists for this year’s award were: 

• Samantha Breen, an English language arts teacher at Hopkinton High School, part of the Hopkinton Public Schools; 

• Michael Haddad, a world languages teacher at Lynn English High School, part of the Lynn Public Schools; 

• Heather Lang, a special education teacher at Lynn English High School;  

• Ashley O’Neil, a special education teacher at Birchland Park Middle School, part of the East Longmeadow Public Schools; and   

• Susannah Remillard, an adventure education teacher at Nauset Regional Middle School, part of the Nauset Public Schools.  

About Luisa Sparrow 

Ms. Sparrow has been teaching for 16 years, eight of those at the Perry School, where she works with other educators in a self-contained classroom for students with intellectual disabilities. She serves on her school’s inclusion planning team and worked with other teachers to create the school’s inclusive Cooking Club. With grants from the Boston Public Schools Teacher Leadership Fund and other sources, groups from the school’s special education and general education classes meet every other week to cook and learn together. The activities are fun and lead to social interaction, and the club uses visual recipes in which each step is accompanied by a photograph, making the activities accessible for students with a wide range of reading abilities.  

In addition to her work with students, Ms. Sparrow supports Boston teachers who are pursuing National Board Certification as an on-call reader through the Boston Public Schools/Boston Teachers Union National Board Program and serves as a Teach Plus Senior Policy Fellow. Outside of school, she supports youth who are experiencing state custody through the foster care system and works with elders to document their life stories. She lives in Wilmington with her family.  

Ms. Sparrow holds a bachelor’s degree in human development from Cornell University, a master’s degree in education with a focus in language and literacy from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and National Board Certification as an exceptional needs specialist. 

Her goal as a teacher is to design spaces where students can all learn what they need to learn together.    

About Jennifer Ferrari 

Ms. Ferrari’s art classes are student-centered, and her room has multiple stations where students can work with digital tools, sculpt clay, make prints, or use a variety of other materials. She encourages students to follow their interests, and she also connects art projects to events beyond her classroom, such as when her students created pieces about wildlife conservation and displayed them at the local library.   

About Kristen Magas 

Ms. Magas became a teacher after working as a civil and environmental engineer. She individualizes her instruction for each student, offering them choices related to real-world problems, from ramps needed for a museum to NASA-related projects. Ms. Magas is currently part of a NASA crew on a 45-day simulated Mars mission in Houston and is expected to return in December.    

About Wellpoint 

Wellpoint is a health benefits company that has served Group Insurance Commission (GIC) members, retirees, and their families for more than 30 years. Wellpoint provides health benefits exclusively to people insured through the GIC, offering a variety of plan options that provide comprehensive medical benefits. Learn more at wellpointmass.com. 

To nominate a public school educator to be the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, please email educatorrecognition@doe.mass.edu.