For immediate release
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Contacts: Jacqueline Reis 781-338-3115, 781-605-4419, jreis@doe.mass.edu Lynne Russo 818-903-6079, lynnerusso@gmail.com
Springfield Educator Receives National Milken Award
SPRINGFIELD – A Springfield high school English teacher today was surprised with a prestigious Milken Educator Award, which comes with an unrestricted financial award of $25,000.
Margaret Hersey, a ninth grade English teacher in the Springfield Honors Academy at the High School of Commerce, became the state’s 46th Milken Award winner. She is the only Massachusetts recipient in 2019-20 and is one of up to 40 recipients across the country this school year. The Milken Award recognizes exemplary elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists who are furthering excellence in education.
“Congratulations to Ms. Hersey for receiving this prestigious national award,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “She is the kind of teacher who inspires her students by giving them a broader view of the world through her lessons both inside and outside the classroom, and we appreciate her hard work.”
“This is a tremendous honor for Ms. Hersey and for the Commonwealth,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “We are lucky to have dedicated and enthusiastic educators like Ms. Hersey, and we wish her and all her students the best for a bright future.”
“Ms. Hersey’s knowledge of literature and art and her commitment to connecting her students to the world outside the school walls serves her students well,” Education Secretary James Peyser said. “She and her students should be proud of what they accomplish together.”
During an assembly at the school today, Ms. Hersey was presented with her award by Greg Gallagher, the senior program director at the Milken Family Foundation, and Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley.
“This award celebrates all the work teachers like Ms. Hersey do for their students every day,” Commissioner Riley said. “Like many Massachusetts educators, her dedication extends beyond the classroom to leading an afterschool club for students and curriculum work with her colleagues.”
In Ms. Hersey’s room, a different team of students run the seminar-style discussions each week, and she seeks out books that reflect the diversity of her classroom. In addition to teaching English language arts, she has drawn on her experience teaching Advanced Placement Art History to offer a class called “Demystification of the Arts.” Her work outside of the classroom includes running the Adventure Club, taking students hiking in the Berkshires and on visits to art museums; and working on curriculum development and student discipline policies with her colleagues.
Ms. Hersey, a Northampton resident, received a bachelor’s degree in social thought and political economy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2012 and is pursuing a master’s in education with a focus on social justice. She has worked at Springfield Honors Academy since it opened in 2017.
"A great educator like Margaret Hersey knows that the essence of teaching is showing students how to become agents of change in their own lives," Mr. Gallagher said. "Margaret's creative thinking and generous spirit are key to helping students develop their own pathways to change and higher learning. We're proud to welcome her as a Milken Educator."
The Milken Family Foundation first presented the Milken Educator Awards in 1987. Massachusetts joined the program in 1997. Since then, $1.1 million has been awarded to recipients in Massachusetts. Recipients can use their $25,000 award in any way they choose. Awards alternate yearly between elementary and secondary educators.
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