Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week 

 

UPTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration celebrated the start of Teacher Appreciation Week today with a visit to Nipmuc Regional High School in Upton, home of the

2024 History Teacher of the Year and 2024 Patriots Hall of Fame STEM Teacher of the Year. Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler met with educators and students from the Mendon-Upton Regional School District to lift up the profound contributions educators make every day in Massachusetts classrooms.  

"Teachers are the heart of our schools and the foundation of our communities. They show up with dedication, compassion, and resilience every day to inspire and empower our students," said Governor Maura Healey. "We are proud to celebrate their incredible impact this week and reaffirm our commitment to supporting educators across Massachusetts."  

"Teachers are mentors, role models, and champions for every child. So often their work goes unnoticed and unrecognized," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "This week, we say thank you and kindly ask all parents, guardians and families to find their own way to express gratitude and support." 

“As a former history teacher, I know the important work teachers do is not often met with the recognition it deserves.," said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. "I want to say thank you to every teacher, mentor, tutor, and paraprofessional who lay the groundwork for young people to realize their dreams. Our educators are doing some of the most important work in the world and I’m thrilled we have a week dedicated to celebrating them.”  

 "We are honored to host Secretary Tutwiler. It was a pleasure to share the amazing work of our teachers with him. We are grateful that he has such a genuine appreciation of the important work our educators do each day," said Nipmuc Regional High School Co-Principal John Clements. 

"Secretary Tutwiler's visit provided such a celebratory start to Teacher Appreciation Week. We are fortunate to work with a talented and dedicated faculty who go above and beyond each day for students. It means so much to the Nipmuc community that he would take time to visit our school and thank our teachers," said Nipmuc Regional High School Co-Principal Mary Anne Moran. 

The administration has made education a central focus of its agenda, including diversifying and strengthening the educator workforce and pipeline. In November, the administration

launched the state’s first registered K-12 Teacher Apprenticeship Program that enables aspiring teachers to work toward a full teaching license while being employed in an instructional role in a district. This earn-and-learn approach removes financial barriers to teaching and ensures more equitable opportunities to enter the profession. Further, the administration has proposed state regulation changes to establish alternative assessments to the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). This proposal was informed by a successful five-year pilot program that expand access to the teaching profession, allowing prospective teachers to demonstrate competencies in different ways while maintaining high standards for subject matter knowledge, communications, and literacy skills.  

For early childhood educators, the state has invested in the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program that supports early education and care providers’ operational costs, including compensation and additional workforce and quality investments that enable programs to better recruit and retain staff while mitigating increased costs for families. With the support of C3, early childhood educator compensation has increased almost 20% in

the last two and a half years. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is working to develop the state’s first early education and care career ladder and salary recommendations, aligned with public school expectations. EEC is also developing a new credentialling system and working with the state’s community colleges to develop a standardized early childhood education certificate, in addition to their Career Pathways Program and Early Childhood Educator Scholarship. The administration has also been focused on expanding early childhood apprenticeships. 

“Our educators are the workforce behind the workforce, critical to the development and growth of the youngest learners in the state and serving as a key driver for our state and local economies,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “No matter the setting, educators are change-makers — bringing learning to life through play and imagination, nurturing social-emotional skills, and supporting parents along the way. Thanks to our teachers for your tireless work to build strong foundations for long-term success for children and families across Massachusetts.” 

The administration also launched this academic year one of the most accessible, equitable and comprehensive free community college programs in the country for full-time and part-time students, regardless of income, which contributes to defraying the costs of education for current and future educators. In addition, the administration provides supports like tuition waivers, financial aid, and resources for professional development. These programs aim to improve teacher quality, support professional growth, and encourage teachers to pursue further education. Further, the Department of Higher Education this year launched the Commission on Higher Education Quality and Affordability that is examining public higher education quality and affordability, including improvements needed to increase the recruitment and retention of qualified adjunct and full-time faculty and staff. 

 “During Teacher Appreciation Week, we also want to extend gratitude to our faculty who provide students with life-changing opportunities, including those who prepare future educators,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “I’m grateful for all that our faculty do to prepare students to grow as individuals, learners, professionals, and community leaders. Their lasting impact on students benefits our entire Commonwealth.” 

Click here to read Governor Healey’s proclamation declaring May 5 through May 9, 2025 Teacher Appreciation Week in Massachusetts.