THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 17, 2026 Page 11 Student Government Day at the State House Healey-Driscoll administration awards Teacher Apprenticeship Grants Everett receives $128,000 R ecently, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced over $1.7 million in grants to seven school districts implementing the first Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs in Massachusetts, a key step in the administration’s efforts to strengthen and grow Massachusetts’ educator workforce. The awarded districts have launched an initial cohort with 27 registered teacher apprentices, with funding supporting mentorship and supervision, tuition and fees, licensure assessment preparation, professional development and program coordination. Registered Teacher ApprenNaomi, a junior at Pioneer Charter School of Science. (Courtesy photo) ticeship Programs provide an innovative, no-cost pathway to earning an Initial teaching license by integrating paid, onAIR QUALITY | FROM PAGE 8 gestion plays a direct role in localized air quality. In Everett, monitoring at school sites identified higher concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFP) compared to readings from the City Hall central monitoring location. UFPs are commonly associated with vehicle emissions, as well as broader regional sources, such as air traffic, industry and other urban activity. The study also points to reMia, a junior at Everett High School. (Courtesy photo) S tate Representative Joe McGonagle met with students at the State House during Student Government Day. gional factors influencing air quality, including wind patterns and proximity to major transportation infrastructure. Elevated levels observed during certain wind conditions suggest that sources beyond any single community contribute to overall air pollution in the Lower Mystic area. Everett is designated as an “environmental justice” comthe-job training with academic coursework. Apprentices can earn while they learn under the mentorship of experienced educators. The program is designed to strengthen teacher preparation through job-embedded learning while reducing financial and systemic barriers that can limit access to the teaching profession. “We need more talented educators in our classrooms, and we need to make it easier for people to enter the teaching profession. That is why our administration launched the state’s first Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program to diversify and strengthen the educator workforce and pipeline across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These apprenticeship programs are part of our broader munity, meaning residents have historically faced a disproportionate share of environmental burdens. City leaders say studies like CLEANAIR are critical tools for continuing to advocate for resources, inform policy decisions and advance long-term environmental improvements. “This study helps put data behind what many communities like Everett have long understood,” said Mayor Robert Van Campen. “Four times the pollution at our schools compared to City Hall demands action. We are committed to working with regional partners, state agencies and local organizations to reduce exposure, improve air quality and protect the health of our residents, especially our students.” Because vehicle traffic during school hours is a primary driver of the elevated pollution levels found in the study, reducgoal to grow our workforce and fill 100,000 critical jobs across Massachusetts, including in our schools. By helping districts remove financial barriers and create real pathways into teaching, we are helping more people step into the classroom and make sure every student has access to a great educator.” The program 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. ing idling near schools is one of the most direct actions the community can take. Massachusetts law already prohibits unnecessary idling. The City is planning a public awareness campaign to help residents understand the health risks of vehicle exhaust and simple steps they can take, such as turning off engines when parked near schools. MyRWA also encourages broader community-level actions to reduce exposure, including using alternative modes of transportation when possible and supporting the expansion of green spaces that help filter pollutants. City officials say they will continue reviewing the findings and working with partners to identify practical steps that can improve air quality at the neighborhood level. For more information and to view the full CLEANAIR report, visit mysticriver.org/cleanair. 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