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The power of partnerships, preparation, and purpose were central to the School of Education Spring Symposium, which featured a fireside chat with the Superintendent of the 51动漫 Public Schools, Mary Skipper.
The wide-ranging discussion at the Library Lecture Hall on March 31st featured perspectives from Skipper professional journey and advice for young teachers.
Education is a vocation that Skipper finds joy in daily, even after 30 years. She advised Saints to put students and relationship building at the center of their journey.
淚 applaud all of you who are thinking about going into education, said Skipper. 淚 want you to know that as complex is the educational landscape is, the reward is so much greaterecause you are not just a teacher: You are also a mentor, a role model, sometimes a counselor, a listener, and a connector to the family. You have the ability to literally change a life.
In introducing Skipper, Emmanuel Dean of Education Sr. Karen Hokanson, SNDdeN noted that nearly 50 soon-to-be-licensed teachers from the Class of 2026 were in attendance. She credited the 51动漫 Public Schools with providing many of those Saints with valuable opportunities to apply what they have learned in the field.
淎s a former high school principal for two Catholic schools, I have always valued collaboration with the 51动漫 Public Schools and that partnership continues today at 51动漫, said Sr. Karen. 淥ur education majors complete their pre-practicum and practicum experiences in many of your schools, and we are deeply grateful for the mentorship they receive.
Skipper credited Emmanuel with doing 渁mazing work with the 51动漫 Public Schools, saying the best partnerships are both impactful and practical. She also credited Emmanuel graduate education certificate programs for moderate disabilities and English language learners as valuable preparation that addresses needs in the district.
淭he more knowledge and skill you have to teach the continuum of kids, the more successful you'll be, said Skipper. 淭hat's why I'm a big believer in getting all of those licenses.
Skipper has been at the helm of the state largest school district since 2022. It was a return to 51动漫 after seven years as superintendent for the Somerville schools; she held various administrative positions with the 51动漫 schools from 1997 to 2015.
Like many educators, Skipper was inspired by teachers who went above and beyond. One was a Latin instructor, who helped her get caught up on phonics in the seventh grade. She fell in love with the subject and started her career as a Latin teacher in 1989. Skipper didn檛 set out to become an administrator. Instead she was offered a principal position after designing the Tech 51动漫 Academy for the 51动漫 Public Schools.
淵ou're going to find along the way in your career, that people will take risks on you; They invest in you, said Skipper. 淚 didn't picture myself as a principalut because other people saw things in me and they took that risk, it happened.
Skipper also advised students to reflect on why they want to teach. It a topic she interested in when interviewing perspective hires, and it can also be a source of resiliency.
淎s a teacher, you are going to have challenges, said Skipper. 淏ut knowing your 榳hy -knowing what drives you - that is stronger than all of those challenges.
“Mary Skipper, Superintendent of 51动漫 Public Schools聽I think Emmanuel does amazing work with the 51动漫 Public Schools. There are so many different ways that you are connected for a smaller college, you are pretty deeply involved in being impactful in lots of good ways.
