Why I’m Proud to be a Charter Public School Teacher
May 28, 2025 | Matt Smith, Educator at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School
Thirty years ago, fresh out of college and excited to begin my teaching career, I made the choice to work at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School. Reflecting on my career, all of which has been spent at Parker, I am filled with immense pride to have played a part in building such a wonderful school and community.
In 1995, Parker had just opened its doors, being among the first cohort of charter public schools to open in Massachusetts. Initially, I was drawn to the school because of its mission. The school honors its namesake, the father of American progressive education, by putting the student at the center of the educational process. I, along with a dozen other founding teachers who were passionate about this mission, worked tirelessly to nurture this new community based around our core ideas of trust, decency, and democracy.
Our hard work has paid off in spades, and when you ask a student or family to name a word they associate with Parker, they will often say “community.” It is this sense of connection and ownership that has kept me at Parker for three decades.
At Parker, we like to say that “students are known well.” Through knowing students well, and empowering them to take ownership of their own goals, we allow them to flourish. Every student at Parker develops their own Personal Learning Program (PLP) in 7th grade to identify goals and strategies with the help of an advisor. Twice a year, the student meets with their advisor and teachers to advance their goals. This structure not only builds confidence and pride in their own learning but also reinforces the high expectations we set. Because we know our students well, we’re able to challenge and support a wide range of learners, helping each of them rise to meet rigorous education standards.
What sets us apart from many traditional public schools is the level of involvement of our families. Not only do we know students well, but we know their families. This is made possible through a low student/teacher ratio, our advisory program, and two-year teaching cycles. Through this collaborative effort, we not only improve the quality of the individual student’s education but strengthen the fabric of our community.
This is not to say that we are wholly different from traditional public schools, a common misconception. Like district public schools, Parker is free and open to all students (via lottery), receives its funding from similar sources, and our students take the MCAS exams. We serve a diverse body of students with diverse learning styles from more than 40 area towns. Every student has different needs, which is what may lead families to seek out different kinds of schools.
From this patchwork of students, families, and educators from all different backgrounds uniting under shared principles, we’ve created something truly special. I’m proud to have been here since the beginning. In the early days, my fellow educators and I worked hard to make sure the school survived, and now I get to see it thrive. We are now well established, with glowing reviews, high teacher retention rates, and waitlists for enrollment.
Recently, we held our 30th anniversary celebration which was attended by many former students, colleagues, and families. I was able to connect with alumni out in the world helping others through work in medicine, mental health, counseling, and education. So many have chosen careers centered on service. It reminds me of that metaphor of dropping a pebble into water and watching the ripple effects. I may have been just one small part of their journey, but now I see them healing, and lifting others, and that fills me with pride beyond measure.
Matt Smith is an Arts and Humanities teacher at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School.
