Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 5, 2025 Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner visits Northeast Metro Tech to celebrate first day of classes S tudents were welcomed back to a new year of classes at Northeast Metro Tech by friends, teachers, faculty and staff members, and a special guest: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Pedro Martinez. On July 1, 2025, Martinez became the 25th DESE commissioner. As schools statewide opened their doors for a new school year, Martinez chose to visit Northeast Metro Tech, joining students in celebrating the first day of classes. Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez engages with cosmetology students. (Photo Courtesy Northeast Metro Tech) “As I tour schools throughout the Commonwealth and greet students as they start their year, I was struck by the energy and joy of the students and staff at Northeast Metro Tech,” said Commissioner Martinez. “It was a pleasure to hear them speak about all the programs that their school offers.” Alongside Superintendent David DiBarri and other faculty members, Commissioner Martinez greeted the students with a warm welcome as they entered the school. Students presented the Commissioner with Students presented the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner, Pedro Martinez, with a Massachusetts Association of School Committees poster as he welcomed them to school. From left: Building Committee member Blanca Gacharna, Assistant Superintendent Tracey O’Brien, Commissioner Martinez, Rosemary Brady of Reading, Trevor Burt of Melrose, Superintendent David DiBarri and State Representative Donald Wong. (Photo Courtesy Northeast Metro Tech) a Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) poster, which highlights the different geographic divisions of school districts statewide, as well as unique divisions, such as urban and vocational-technical districts, the latter being the home for Northest Metro Tech. The Commissioner’s visit did not end there. Once students entered the building and settled into their first classes, Commissioner Martinez got to experience a taste of the educational programs the school has to offer by visiting dental assisting, cosmetology and world language classrooms. In each classroom, Commissioner Martinez connected with teachers and students about their respective programs and learned about the unique learning opportunities provided to students to prepare them for post-graduate experiences. While visiting the cosmetology classroom, he advised students of the loyal bond between hairdressers and their customers that they would experience as post-graduate professionals. In the world language classroom, Commissioner Martinez, a native of Mexico, engaged with students and staff in Spanish and took a photo with them in front of the Mexican flag, which was displayed on a bulletin board in the classroom. While the Commissioner’s vis
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