MCPSA NEWSLETTER: Si No Levantas Los Ojos/If You Do Not Lift Up Your Eyes

The Argentine writer Antonio Porchia said: “Si no levantas los ojos, creerás que eres el punto más alto” which translates to “If you do not lift up your eyes, you will think you are the highest point.”

As we pay homage to Latinx Heritage Month, it is essential that we celebrate the successes of our Latinx students; elevate the Latinx educators that have helped them get there; and focus on what we need to do in order to better support our state’s Latinx kids, families, and teachers.

As a community of public schools that believe deeply in continuous improvement, we’ve lifted our gaze, and started to make progress in a number of areas of need.

First, the need to ensure that our student populations reflect the diversity of our state. Today, charter public schools in the Commonwealth serve about 4.5% of all public school students, and we serve over 7% of the state’s Latinx student population. Charter public schools also serve a higher percentage of multilingual students whose first language isn’t English than the state.

Second, the need to ensure that our teachers reflect the diversity of our students. Over the last 5 years, Massachusetts charter public schools have achieved 5%+ growth in their percentage of Latinx teachers, which is nearly 4x the rate of other Massachusetts public schools. Today, almost 10% of the state’s Latinx teachers work at charter public schools.

Third, the need to ensure we are giving our students the tools they need to be successful. As of the latest round of assessment data, we’ve seen our Latinx students succeed in ways that defy pervasive opportunity and achievement gaps. At 16 charter public schools across the state, Latinx students in grades 3-8 are mastering reading, writing, and math at higher levels than the statewide average for all students.

There is more to do, and we commit to continue to lift up our eyes and roll up our sleeves.

Finally, it is important to celebrate. Much of this work supporting our Latinx students and families has been spearheaded by our Latinx teachers and leaders. I’d like to conclude this note by spotlighting a few of these incredible school community leaders.

Andreina Croes, 2nd Grade Teacher, Lawrence Family Development Charter School (LFDCS)

Andreina Croes began her career as an undergraduate student teacher from Merrimack College. Following student teaching, she was hired at LFDCS as a second grade teacher and has worked at the school for three years. Andreina is from Venezuela and is bilingual and bicultural, which enhances her already strong parent engagement skills at the school where over 98% of parents are Latinx. Using LFDCS’ tuition reimbursement program, Andreina will soon begin a master’s degree. She plans to pursue graduate studies to expand her contributions into charter public school leadership.

Yasenia Dudley, Vice-Principal, City on a Hill Dudley Square

From Yasenia: “As an Afro-Latina in school, I walked around with my head held high because I was taught to be proud of who I am. Now as an educator, I feel compelled to have all of my students feel proud of their patria! I want students to learn about their ancestry and where they came from because we all have a strong, complex, colorful history, and heritage. I want students to see that people that look like them can be successful, and that’s why I fight so hard to see them all succeed; so that they can then make it to a place where they look back and say ‘that was worth it’.”

Bermely Ferreras, Middle School Support Services Teacher, Boston Prep

Bermely is a 2013 graduate of Boston Prep. Following graduation from Colby Sawyer College, Bermely returned to Boston Prep to join the faculty. As Bermely thought about her next steps after college, she decided to use her talents to give back to the community that had given so much to her and her family. Now, as a special educator, Bermely is doing that and so much more. She brings a contagious enthusiasm and energy to the classroom each day. Bermely’s positivity is paired with unyielding high expectations; as a graduate of Boston Prep, she knows firsthand what is possible, and she makes it clear to her students that they too can achieve at the highest levels and make their dreams a reality.

Héctor Martínez Morales, Music Teacher, Prospect Hill Academy (PHA)

Originally from Mexico, Héctor Martínez Morales has been the 7-12th grade music teacher for 11 years. Héctor plays a major role in the school’s annual 11th grade “Junior Journey” trip to Guatemala, which he has chaperoned for the past nine years. Outside of PHA, Héctor is a skilled, published composer with a performance background in Latin-American folk music and mariachi. Most notably, he composed original music and lyrics for two theater plays that have been performed throughout the U.S., entitled “Mariachi Girl” and “Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet.”

A huge shout-out (and thank you) to Andreina, Yasenia, Bermely, and Héctor for all they do on behalf of students. To learn more about our charter public Latinx educators, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!