波士頓市長吳弭任命蔡欣蓓接任創新與科技資訊長

蔡欣蓓。（波士頓市府檔案照片）

     （Boston Orange編譯）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）今（ 13） 日宣佈，任命蔡欣蓓（Shin-pei Tsay）接替離職的加西亞斯（Santi Garces），出任創新與科技局（DoIT）資訊長（CIO），以強化全市數位基礎設施與公共服務。

    蔡欣佩原任波士頓市研究與數據長，曾領導市長城市力學辦公室（Mayor’s Office of Urban Mechanics），並推動首個全市數據戰略。她擁有倫敦政經學院（LSE）碩士學位，歷任 Uber 全球城市與永續政策主管、Gehl 研究院執行董事及 TransitCenter 副執行董事，在跨領域科技與交通創新領域經驗豐富。

    創新與科技局近年推動多項革新，包括簡化線上房產查詢與納稅流程、頒布首個全市生成式 AI 政策、與 Google 合作推動 Project Green Light 第二期，並升級 Wicked Free Wi-Fi 服務，造訪學校、圖書館等公用設施，惠及逾 13 萬名居民。

    前資訊長加西亞斯在位四年後離職，轉赴哈佛大學任教並研究政府未來與 AI 應用。吳弭市長指出，蔡欣蓓將在既有良好基礎上，繼續打造以市民為中心的科技服務。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES SHIN-PEI TSAY AS CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR CITY OF BOSTON

BOSTON - Thursday, August 13, 2026 -  Mayor Michelle Wu today announced Shin-pei Tsay as Chief Information Officer for the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), a key senior role focused on strengthening City’s digital infrastructure and service delivery across neighborhoods. Santi Garces, who served as CIO for the past four years, has joined Harvard University to work on research and teaching related to the future of government, artificial intelligence, and innovation.  

“Our team is driven by innovative leaders who bring creative solutions to improving City services and better serve our community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Shin‑pei Tsay will lead the Department of Innovation and Technology’s work to strengthen the digital tools and infrastructure that residents rely on, building on the strong foundation laid by Santi Garces. I’m excited to welcome her to the role to continue advancing the technologies that help the City better serve residents. ”

“As we continue modernizing City services, these appointments ensure we have trusted, experienced leadership in place,” said Clare Kelly, City of Boston Chief of Staff. “Shin-pei will help us build on the City’s strong foundation and we look forward to her leadership of this critical cabinet that ensures our city workforce, residents, businesses, and families are connected to high quality services and resources.”

DoIT plays a critical role in enabling the effective delivery of public services, programs and products for residents, families, businesses, and visitors. Over the past years, DoIT has implemented a wave of advancements that are reshaping how people access services, data, and technology infrastructure to do everything they need to do. Building on City efforts to improve service delivery, DoIT has overhauled the City’s digital infrastructure and websites, including assessing information online, making it easier for residents to look up property information online and pay taxes. Additionally, DoIT recently adopted the first citywide generative artificial intelligence policy and released a second phase of Project Green Light in partnership with Google. DoIT has also improved Wicked Free Wi-Fi to deliver high quality internet for the public in schools, libraries, police stations, fire stations and other municipal buildings, serving over 130,000 residents. 

“I’m deeply honored to continue serving the City of Boston and support the vision of Mayor Wu at this critical time when nearly everything is technology enabled,” said Shin-pei Tsay, Chief Information Officer. “Great technology infrastructure can immensely improve and scale public service so that it centers people. The everyday experiences people have from taking their kids to school, looking up property information, or reporting issues on the street is the work of local government, and I’m excited to continue building on all the resident-centered innovation Boston has done so that we can meet future challenges and expand access so that everyone can thrive.” 

Shin-pei Tsay currently serves as the City’s Chief Research and Data Officer, where she launched the first city-wide data strategy, and formerly led the Mayor’s Office of Urban Mechanics. Tsay has devoted her career to making cities work better for people at the intersection of public space, transportation, climate, and civic technology. Her past leadership roles include head of global cities and sustainability policy at Uber where she drove the policy initiative behind the company’s global sustainability commitment; founding executive director at the Gehl Institute where she launched the Public Life Data Protocol with San Francisco, Seattle, and Copenhagen; deputy executive director of Transit Center where she established pillars of public transportation reform including transit board capacity building, emerging technologies, and bus network redesign; director of cities and transportation program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace where she researched demand-side policies that supported stronger connections between federal transportation and climate policy arenas; and deputy director at Transportation Alternatives where she was a leader in an all-sector movement to accelerate urban transportation innovations from safe pedestrian street designs and bike lane networks to Vision Zero. She was recognized as a Local IT Leader by State Scoop in 2025 and as a Sustainability Star by AdWeek in 2022. 

Tsay holds a Master of Science in Cities, Space & Society from the London School of Economics, a B.A. with Distinction in Government from Cornell University and has served on the New York City Public Design Commission; multiple non-profit organizations, most recently as Vice Chair of SPUR, the Bay-area civic planning institution; and taught urban design at Parsons School of Design and Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. She is currently a member of the Harvard Extension School’s Sustainability Master of Liberal Arts Advisory Board. 

麻州州長奚莉保護民眾染毒癮頒緊急命令 限制銷售卡痛草產品

    （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（13）日下達緊急命令，限制卡痛草（Kratom）產品在麻州各地銷售，麻州公共衛生廳也已發出緊急命令，暫時把將所有形式的卡痛草暫列為第一類管制藥物（Schedule I），期以保護青少年及麻州居民的安全。

    這命令將在公告 14天 後正式生效，最長實施期限為 一年。

    卡痛草（Kratom）是一種原產於東南亞的熱帶植物，含有天然活性成分如帽柱木鹼（Mitragynine）和7-羥基帽柱木鹼（7-OH）。根據使用劑量和配方的不同，它會產生類似於興奮劑或阿片類的藥理效果。

    由於坊間有業者高倍濃縮7-OH，有的甚至高到其類鴉片強度達到嗎啡的13倍，還包裝成色彩鮮艷的軟糖，能量飲料，口香糖，還打出「提升專注力」，「天然止痛藥」等口號，在便利店，煙草店，加油站銷售，以致許多年輕人或一般居民在毫無警覺下食用，因而上癮。麻州各地警政系統與醫院診所都接獲越來越多使用卡痛草產品導致的精神異常，或過量中毒個案。

    在卡痛草暫列為第一類管制藥物（Schedule I）後，地方市鎮的衛生局和警察將取得執法權，直接處罰違規商家，並把相關產品從煙草店、便利店及加油站等場所下架。

    麻州公共衛生廳指出，麻州居民如果發現有人使用卡痛草產品，出現呼吸減慢或停止的情況，應立即使用納洛酮（Naloxone）。目前人們不需要處方，就可在麻州各地藥房，以及許多零售點購買納洛酮。若有居民需要戒斷或治療支持，可隨時致電或發送簡訊 “HOPE” 至 800-327-5050 聯繫馬薩諸塞州藥物濫用求助熱線。

    查詢卡痛草相關健康指南，可上麻州政府官網mass.gov/kratom 。

Governor Healey Takes Action to Protect Young People and Residents from Dangerous Kratom Products

State will restrict sale of kratom, a largely unregulated substance with opioid-like effects, and expand public education and treatment outreach

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced new actions to protect Massachusetts residents from dangerous and largely unregulated kratom products, including an emergency order restricting the sale of kratom across the state and new efforts to educate the public about the health risks and connect people with treatment and recovery services.

Kratom is widely sold in smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations in the powders, tablets, capsules, gummies, dissolvable strips, and other forms. Kratom products have, to-date, been largely unregulated and products can vary significantly in their potency and ingredients, making it difficult for consumers to know what they are purchasing or the potential health risks. Regular kratom use can also lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal.

“Dangerous kratom products are being sold in stores across Massachusetts with little oversight, and people – including children – often have no way of knowing what they’re buying or how potent it is,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Customers should be able to trust that the products being sold in stores are safe. We’re taking action to protect young people and residents, give communities the tools to get dangerous products off store shelves and make sure anyone struggling with dependence can get the treatment and support they need.”

“Kratom is increasingly available in stores and comes in many different forms and potencies, but many people may not realize the serious risks associated with these products,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re making sure residents understand those risks, know how to respond in an emergency and can access treatment and recovery services if they need help.”

Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, has issued an emergency order temporarily placing all forms of kratom into Schedule I under Massachusetts law. The order will take effect following a 14-day notice period and remain in effect for up to one year. It will give local boards of health and other municipal officials additional authority to take enforcement action against retailers selling kratom products.

As part of the statewide effort, DPH is also providing information and guidance to local boards of health, health care providers and substance use treatment programs about the new restrictions, the health risks associated with kratom and available treatment and recovery services. DPH will also hold an informational webinar for local public health officials to support implementation of the order.

“In public health, we need to be nimble, responding to new and emerging threats with evidence-based actions,” said DPH Commissioner Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Kratom is increasingly being used by youth and adults, and many are unaware of the risks, including overdose, dependence, and serious health consequences. Our goal is to protect the public while getting those who need treatment or support the care they deserve.” 

Kratom is a leafy plant native to Southeast Asia containing naturally occurring substances, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Depending on the amount and potency, kratom can produce stimulant-like or opioid-like effects. Some newer products contain highly concentrated or laboratory-modified compounds that can have significantly stronger opioid-like effects. 

Kratom use has been associated with a range of health effects, including seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. 

Kratom also carries a risk of overdose, particularly when highly potent products are used, products contain unknown substances, or it is combined with opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines or other sedatives. While uncommon, kratom-related deaths have been reported, particularly when kratom is used with other substances or by people with underlying health conditions.

If someone who has used kratom has slowed or stopped breathing, naloxone should be administered immediately. Naloxone is available without a prescription at pharmacies and many retail locations across Massachusetts.

Treatment is available for people experiencing kratom withdrawal or dependence, including medications, counseling, peer support and behavioral health services. Individuals seeking help for themselves or a loved one can call or text “HOPE” to 800-327-5050 to reach the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

DPH has also launched new resources at mass.gov/kratom to help residents understand the risks, recognize the signs of an overdose, learn how to respond to an overdose and access treatment and recovery services.  

華林功夫太極館慶20週年 余翠梅，陳玉燕，蘇靜恩攜手闖出女性一片天

華林功夫太極館創辦人余翠梅 （Mai Du，中）和陳玉燕（Amy Tran ，右），
蘇靜恩（Andrea So，左)攜手慶祝20週年。（周菊子攝）

  （Boston Orange周菊子麻州昆士市報導）華林功夫太極館 8月9日晚在昆士市龍鳳酒樓慶祝20週年，20頭醒獅，2條祥龍，200多學生和親自來賀的昆士市，摩頓市2名市長，以及來自四面八方的許多師父們，在15面大鼓與鑼鈸喧天聲中歡聚一堂，場面壯觀，喜氣飛揚。

華林派蘇靜恩，余翠梅，陳咪咪，Bob Robson，Amy Tran和學生們
一同慶祝20週年。（周菊子攝）

在波士頓已多年不見的武術擂台，這天又重現人們眼前，舞台上從年僅3歲的小娃兒到70、80歲白髮蒼蒼的耆英，掄拳踢腿，舞刀弄劍，棍戟交錯，著實讓人目不暇給，各門派師父上台示範時展現的沈穩功力，更是讓許多人激動得站起來欣賞。

昆士市長Tom Koch (左）和摩頓市市長Gary Christenson 雙雙親自出席道賀。
（主辦單位提供）

華林功夫太極館創辦人余翠梅（Mai Du) 自己也沒想到，12歲時磨著父母帶她去學功夫，跟隨她的師父Bob Rosen ，以及師公陳培習武後，竟就此一頭栽進武俠世界，不但成為華林北派探腿螳螂拳第八代傳人，還從20年前在摩頓市自家門前車道開班授徒，收了9名學生後，陸續在摩頓市，昆士市，然後在波士頓市的西洛士百利（West Roxbury）先後開出3家武館，成為大波士頓最龐大的武館之一。

余翠梅笑說「飲水思源」，尊師重道，追求正義都是必修武德，在她習武38年，執教25年的生涯中，強身健體和修身養性一樣重要，傳承文化時，更講究服務社區。

余翠梅請嘉賓為瑞獅點睛前致詞。（主辦單位提供）

    獲有塔芙茨大學（Tufts）教育碩士學位的余翠梅，在過去這些年中，不僅帶學生們南征北討的參加武術大會，砥礪武技，領回無數獎牌，還開班教人自衛防身，致力組織社區，推廣草根運動，和熱心人士於2014年共同創辦了大摩頓市亞裔社區聯盟（GMAACC），於2020年創辦了公平及反種族歧視聯盟（CARE），鼓勵人們建立正確的人生態度，積極的為亞裔社區找回聲音。

雙龍送上“龍虎精神”，“天下太平”的賀詞。（周菊子攝）

這天瑞獅太多，舞台站不下，分批來。（周菊子攝）

    當然，華林功夫武館能夠不斷擴張，重要原因之一是余翠梅有2名得力助手默默支持。一是和她一樣都是華林北派探腿螳螂拳第八代傳人，熱愛國華及書法，師從黃煥堂的華林太極功夫武館總教練陳玉燕（Amy Tran），以及華林北派探腿螳螂拳第九代傳人，如今已是勒星頓鎮（Lexington ）公校系統小學教育主任的蘇靜恩（Andrea So）。

    8月9日這天，昆士市市長柯奇(Tom Koch) ，摩頓市市長Gary Christenson，以及麻州眾議員黃子安（Donald Wong）親自到場為瑞獅點睛，麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey），波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）等政要也發函致賀。

瑞獅送祝福是重頭戲之一。（周菊子攝）

20頭瑞獅同時疊人聳立，架勢震撼。（周菊子攝）

    華林功夫太極武館之外，有19家武館派代表出席，包括佛羅里達州奧蘭多的華林寺（Wah Lum Temple），麻州波士頓的新英格蘭華林功夫體育會，亞美文化中心，太極武藝協會，女媧（Nuwa ）體育俱樂部，麻州Berkley的華林功夫太極中心，牛頓市的陳耀祥武館，伍斯特市（Worcester）的Imperial Lion Dance，Methuen 的華林身心健康 （Wellness），Melrose的黃仁君（Rick Wong）的中國武術中心，貝爾蒙鎮（Belmont）的超武館（Woo’s Martial Arts），田納西州Knoxville的華林，佛羅里達州Melborune的華林，北卡羅萊納州Raleigh華林，緬因州Biddeford的九虎工夫 (Nine Tigers Kung Fu) ，德州修士頓的 No Limit Arts & Gifts, Shaolin Kung Fu，威斯康辛州（WI）Woukesho的少林中心，Madison的忠義工夫協會（Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association），以及德國的Kampfkunstschule華林派。

華林功夫太極館瑞獅獻吉。（周菊子攝）

    現場表演由20頭瑞獅和2條祥龍上台獻舞祝福開場，陸續有基本功，小洪拳，右手棍小組示範，青少年列隊排練，楊式太極24式等演練，特別嘉賓表演有佛羅里達州墨爾本華林功夫及太極的James DeFillips師父示範套路，德州休士頓Mark Vuong示範嵩山少林七星拳，威斯康辛州Madison的忠義功夫協會Nelson Ferreira師父示範等。

華林功夫太極館的蘇靜恩（錢左起），余翠梅，陳玉燕率學生謝幕。（周菊子攝）

    7月19日才從父親手中接下佛羅里達州華林派掌門人大印的陳咪咪，這天也余翠梅和Amy Tran，蘇靜恩等3個人，最後壓軸示範。

    這天在會場上，最高興的人莫過於余翠梅的姓氏宗親。余風采堂由全美元老余超群和本地主席余立昌率隊，出動了包括退休法官余達明在內的2桌宗親出席，與有榮焉的祝賀宗親余翠梅在社區發光發熱。（更新人名，Amy Tran為陳玉燕）

蘇靜恩（前左起），余翠梅，陳玉燕壓軸表演。（周菊子攝）

蘇靜恩（前）和陳玉燕（左）舞劍。（周菊子攝）

陳培師父的女兒陳咪咪率全女班示範功夫。（周菊子攝）

陳咪咪今年7月19日才從父親陳培手中接下佛羅里達州華林派掌門人大位。（周菊子攝）

陳咪咪示範功夫。（周菊子攝）

華林功夫太極館的幼兒班，最小的才3歲。（周菊子攝）

華林功夫太極館學生示範。（周菊子攝）

華林功夫太極館學生們舞棍。（周菊子攝）

華林功夫太極館耆英班示範打太極。（周菊子攝）

華林功夫太極館青年學生示範武術。（周菊子攝）

來自德州休士頓的師父 Mark Vuong 。（周菊子攝）

來自威斯康辛州Madison的Nelson Ferreiro。（周菊子攝）

佛羅里達州的Tu Truong師父。（周菊子攝）

示範盾牌。（周菊子攝）

來自不同州，不同武館的師父們。（周菊子攝）

南派武館的黃子安和黃雅亭（左）。（周菊子攝）

觀眾站起來鼓掌。（周菊子攝）

余風采堂宗親們到場祝賀。（周菊子攝）

余風采堂宗親道賀。（周菊子攝）

女媧體育會創辦人，剛宣誓就任波士頓地方法院法官的黃瑞瑜（左）。（周菊子攝）

華林功夫太極館 師生大合照。（周菊子攝）

More Than 2,000 ADUs Approved under Governor Healey’s Housing Bill

More Than 2,000 ADUs Approved under Governor Healey’s Housing Bill

854 permits approved during the first half of 2026 as Governor Healey expands support for homeowners

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that municipalities across Massachusetts have approved 854 accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, during the first six months of 2026, building on strong early momentum following the signing of Governor Healey’s Affordable Homes Act and bringing the statewide total to 2,084 approved ADUs since the start of 2025. 

“We wanted to make it easier for homeowners to build ADUs because we knew they were an effective tool for building the type of housing people need and lowering costs,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We're seeing homeowners across Massachusetts take advantage of this new opportunity, whether it's creating space for aging parents, helping adult children stay close to home, earning rental income or adding another home in their community. We're working to build on this early progress by giving homeowners more of the practical tools they need to get these projects built.”

“Homeowners told us they wanted the process to be simpler, and that's exactly what we're doing,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “With free designs, technical assistance and affordable financing, we're making it easier for people to turn an idea into a completed home. That's good for families, good for neighborhoods and good for addressing our housing needs.”

70 percent of communities in Massachusetts have approved at least one ADU and an updated interactive map tracking ADU applications and approvals is available at Mass.gov/ADUtracker. The top 10 communities for ADU approvals since the start of 2025 are:

Community  (Excluding Boston)	Approved ADUs
Lowell	53
Somerville	50
Plymouth	49
Lawrence	46
Revere	46
Worcester	40
Nantucket	39
Billerica	24
Methuen	24
Milton	24

“Surpassing 2,000 approvals is a strong early result and clear evidence of what can happen when we remove unnecessary barriers and allow ADUs by right,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias. “The programs we launched this year address the next set of barriers homeowners face, including design, early project planning and financing. Together, they will build on this momentum and make it even easier for homeowners to turn their plans into completed homes.”

ADUs, also known as in-law apartments, are small, independent homes located on the same lot as another home. They may be created within an existing home, built as an addition or constructed as a separate structure. ADUs can provide space for aging parents, adult children, caregivers or people with disabilities. They can also provide homeowners with supplemental rental income and add new rental opportunities within existing neighborhoods.

Before the Affordable Homes Act, Massachusetts had no consistent statewide standard for ADU zoning and permitting. A patchwork of requirements, including owner-occupancy restrictions, restrictive size limits, subjective design reviews and discretionary approvals, often made ADUs difficult or impossible to build.

The Affordable Homes Act created a consistent statewide standard allowing one ADU up to 900 square feet (or no larger than half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling) to be built by right on lots located in single-family zoning districts, subject to reasonable local requirements. Boston has separate zoning authority and its own ADU rules.

New Resources for Homeowners

To help more homeowners move from initial interest to construction, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has launched new programs addressing three common barriers to building an ADU: design, early project planning and financing. All resources can be found in one location at Mass.gov/ADU.

Free designs through the ADU Design Challenge

Homeowners can now browse and download free designs selected through the administration’s ADU Design Challenge. The designs include a range of sizes, layouts and construction approaches that homeowners can use as a starting point when planning an ADU.

ADU feasibility support through MHP

The Massachusetts Housing Partnership’s ADU Incentive Program helps property owners take the first step in determining whether they can build an ADU on their property. The program connects homeowners with professionals who can assess factors such as site conditions, zoning, utility needs, preliminary design considerations and potential construction costs.

Affordable construction financing through MassHousing

The MassHousing ADU Loan Program provides fixed-rate second mortgage financing of up to $250,000 for detached ADUs and up to $150,000 for attached ADUs. The program serves eligible homeowners who have completed design and permitting and are ready to begin construction.

Online interactive ADU tools

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) also launched a Massachusetts ADU Resource Center at MyMassADU.org in May. Homeowners that are interested in building an ADU on their property can read through a step-by-step guide, enter their address into the ADU Wizard tool to drop a design of an ADU on their property, then enter info like property value and home equity into a calculator to see what financing they might be eligible for. 

Homeowners in the Pioneer Valley can then take advantage of the Pioneer Valley ADU Accelerator Pilot program, also run by the MassCEC, to obtain technical support for building detached, modular, all-electric ADUs in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.  

Residents interested in building an ADU should contact their city or town’s building or inspectional services department to learn about local permitting requirements. Additional information about the statewide law and resources for homeowners and municipalities is available at mass.gov/ADU.

Building More Homes and Bringing Down Costs

The ADU reporting is part of the administration’s broader effort to improve how Massachusetts measures and reports housing production. The administration recently launched the new housing production tracker, which provides a consistent statewide measure of net housing growth and allows the public to view housing production data for every city and town.

Since taking office, Governor Healey has focused on expanding pathways to homeownership, increasing housing production and lowering costs. Her administration has advanced new efforts to help first-time homebuyers, including expanding down payment assistance and lowering mortgage rates to make it easier for Massachusetts residents to buy their first home. 

To build more homes, she has taken action to speed up the permitting process, turn state land into thousands of new homes, convert downtown commercial space into apartments and create a first-in-the-nation fund to finance mixed-income development in a time of high interest rates. Governor Healey has also banned mandatory renter-paid broker fees, gave seniors up to $2,800 a year to help with housing costs, and expanded home inspection protections.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $250,000 to Grow Massachusetts' Teacher Workforce

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $250,000 to Grow Massachusetts' Teacher Workforce Planning grants will help districts create new pathways to licensure for aspiring teachers through paid, on-the-job training and mentorship EVERETT - The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $250,000 in planning grants to help 10 school district partnerships create Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs (RTAP) that open new pathways into the teaching profession. The grants will support 16 school districts as they design apprenticeship programs with educator preparation providers, allowing aspiring teachers to work toward their teaching license through paid, on-the-job training, coursework and mentorship. "Massachusetts needs more excellent teachers in our classrooms, and we're taking action to strengthen the educator pipeline," said Governor Maura Healey. "These grants will help districts build apprenticeship programs that prepare future teachers through paid, hands-on experience while they work toward their license." "Teacher apprenticeships create new opportunities for aspiring educators while helping school districts meet their workforce needs," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "We're proud to support local partnerships that will prepare the next generation of teachers across Massachusetts." “Preparing and supporting excellent educators is one of the best investments we can make in student success,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “These planning grants will help districts create high-quality apprenticeship programs that make it easier for aspiring educators to earn licensure while helping schools grow their own educator pipelines. Students benefit when educators bring deep knowledge of and longstanding connections to the communities they serve.” This grant builds on the successful launch of Massachusetts’ Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, which currently includes 27 apprentices across seven school districts and five educator preparation programs. Apprentices are preparing to teach in high-demand fields, including special education, early childhood education in dual language settings and English as a Second Language, with most expected to earn their licenses within two to three years. "Massachusetts teachers play an essential role in educating our students and preparing them for the workforce," said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. "As the Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to promote Registered Apprenticeship as a proven model for employers to build great talent, our Division of Apprentice Standards values the collaboration with school districts to be a partner in this important work to attract and develop new talent that will serve as future educators." “This funding will help districts develop a framework for apprentices to work with and learn from experienced teachers and an educator preparation program,” Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez said. “While creating teaching pathways that are accessible, we can also increase the diversity of our workforce, which benefits Massachusetts students.” Each recipient will receive a $25,000 planning grant to support the development of a RTAP during the 2026-27 school year. Planning activities include workforce needs assessments, program design, developing partnerships with educator preparation providers and establishing recruitment strategies. Participating districts will be positioned to launch RTAP programs as early as the 2027-2028 school year.   The grant recipients each received $25,000. The recipients are: Brockton Public Schools Easton Public Schools Holyoke Public Schools Lawrence Public Schools Newton Public Schools Quincy Public Schools Salem Academy Charter School Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District, in partnership with Quabbin Regional School District Springfield Public Schools Westfield Public Schools, in partnership with Chicopee, Granby, Hampden-Wilbraham, Greenfield, and Hadley public schools The RTAP is part of Governor Healey’s broader effort to grow Massachusetts’ workforce, including the Governor’s goal to register 100,000 apprentices across key sectors such as education, health care, and the skilled trades over the next decade. By expanding pathways into teaching, the administration is strengthening the educator pipeline and helping ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.