THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 23, 2020 Page 11 MALDEN: TODAY | FROM PAGE 8 ermo, Elise Donovan, Richie Callahan, as well as the COVID-19 200,000-plus; can we do 2020 over? Please. “This is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end, my only friend, the end” ...This past September some of us in Malden commemorated the 42nd anniversary of the passing of the first African American state Representative in Massachusetts history, Malden’s Herbert L. Jackson. A child of parents born enslaved, Jackson was the first African American ever elected to the Malden City Council. He was first elected as a councillor from Ward 7 (1945 to 1947) then in Ward 5 (1947-1951) – ending his career in public service as a Councillor-at-Large (1965-1975). He served as City Council President four times and was elected as a state representative, serving from 1950 to 1954. Former Mayor Jim Conway once told me Jackson was one of his favorite elected officials. Herbert L. Jackson was born in 1908 to John T. Jackson and Araminta Jefferson Jackson; they owned a tailoring business. Jackson was one of seven children, and family lore has been told that young Herbert started his political aspirations in grade school. Always breaking barriers, he ran as class president of his graduating class of 1927 – the first African American to do so at Malden High. As a young man the lure of the entertainment world was strong. A jazz musician by trade – the many jazz clubs he played in and frequented suggested an ambition towards show business. But a career in music was not in the cards – settling as a man of the community, dedicating 30 years to the city he called his home. Jackson passed away on Sept. 6, 1978. Though descended from horrific beginnings, he passed away a “proud public servant, a strong community man, and an icon amongst his peers. A man with great pride for his town, his country and his family.” Postscript 1: Next time you travel down Salem Street, take a moment to admire the wonderful painted switch box in front of Herbert’s former house on Salem Street at Pierce; a fitting tribute to this great man. Postscript 2: For the curious out there, like Paul Sherman, “Man with A Camera” was a 1958 TV show starring Charles Bronson as Mike Kovac, a former World War II combat photographer freelancing in New York City specializing in “getting the photographs that other lens men could not.” TEACHER | FROM PAGE 1 “It’s the relationship that saves” “It’s the relationship that saves, and that’s what my principal always says,” Hedrington added, referring to Ferryway School leader Abdel Sepulveda. On Tuesday, the Malden educator’s 16-year journey in the profession reached new heights. The Malden educator received a signature honor when she was announced as the 2021 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year by in this way.” This year’s field of candidates was robust, according to DESE Commissioner Riley, with over 100 initial nominations for the prestigious award. In a process which began in the fall of 2019 for the 2021 award, some 120 educators were nominated for the award. Of those 120 educators, 30 completed applications and 12 became semifinalists. Then, four finalists were selected and screened by a panel of eight individuals: the four most recent Massachusetts teachers of the year ACCOLADES | FROM PAGE 1 drington, locally and statewide, starting right at the top when Governor Charlie Baker offered his congratulations on Tuesday. “The relationships that teachers like Ms. Hedrington build with their students and their students’ families are important to children’s growth and development and have been made more critical as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Baker said. “I am pleased to see Ms. Hedrington recognized for her work, and I know that she represents many other dedicated educators across the Commonwealth.” Locally, her own principal, FerOn Tuesday, Malden Public Schools seventh-grade mathematics teacher Jennifer Hedrington, of the Ferryway School, was named Massachusetts Teacher of the Year at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Board meeting. (Courtesy Photo/DESE) state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Commissioner Jeffrey Riley. It is the first time a Malden Public Schools educator has been so honored and the third time in the program’s 59-year history that a woman of color has been the statewide selectee. Hedrington is in the midst of her 10th year in Malden Public Schools, having previously taught in the Revere Public Schools and also in Houston, Tex., and Baltimore, Md. Superintendent praises educator’s leadership In announcing the award in her home district, fourth-year Malden Superintendent of Schools John Oteri noted Hedrington’s leadership skills as well as the approach she takes in involving her students in the community and world around them. “Ms. Hedrington is an outstanding educator who is a true leader of students and staff in Malden,” Supt. Oteri said. “She leads from the classroom and gives her students a greater voice in school and in the community.” The Ferryway School educator also drew congratulations from Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. “Ms. Hedrington is an asset to both Malden Public Schools and to the community,” said Mayor Christenson, who also serves as chairperson of the Malden School Committee. “I’m grateful for all she has done for Malden students, and I’m thrilled to see her recognized and four DESE staff members. Now a candidate for National Teacher of the Year Hedrington automatically becomes Massachusetts’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year program. Commissioner Riley pointed out that Hedrington was the unanimous choice of the screening panel, noting unanimous selections for the award are uncommon. “In addition to teaching her students math, she has encouraged them to lead community service activities, supTEACHER | SEE PAGE 13 ryway School’s Abdel Sepúlveda, who has become a district leader in promoting and educating his peers on the values of equity and diversity, recalled his early experiences with Hedrington in Malden. “I once had the pleasure of teaching in the room beside Ms. Hedrington’s, and I learned quickly how good she was at making the classroom welcoming for all students,” said Principal Sepúlveda. “She teaches math, but this award recognizes her ability to go beyond that and inspire students for life.” State leaders were quick to send their accolades, including Malden State Senator Jason Lewis (D-5th Middlesex), who chairs the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Education and was writer of the landmark Student Opportunity Act. He said, “As co-chair of the Joint Committee on Education, I know that Massachusetts is lucky to have many, many strong educators, and I’m thrilled that Ms. Hedrington, who works right here in Malden, is being honored and will represent all of them.” Other Malden state legislators sent their congratulations as well. “Each day, Ms. Hedrington seizes the opportunity that all educators have to profoundly impact the lives of their students both in and outside the classroom,” said Rep. Steven Ultrino, Ed.D. (D-Malden). “As an educator, I understand how much hard work goes into the exemplary education that Ms. Hedrington provides for our students here in Malden, and I’m proud to see her recognized for this work that so often goes unseen.” “Massachusetts is lucky to have teachers like Ms. Hedrington in our schools,” said Assistant Majority Leader and State Representative Paul J. Donato (D-Malden, Medford). “I am happy she chose to teach in Malden, and I know that she and her students will continue to accomplish remarkable things.” “As a former seventh-grade teacher myself and the mom of a second grader, I know the kind of difference an amazing teacher can have in her students’ lives,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Malden, Melrose). “I extend my sincerest congratulations to Ms. Hedrington on receiving the state’s highest award for educators in recognition of her incredible impact on the students of Malden and beyond.” Other state leaders, including Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Massachusetts Education Secretary James Peyser, also had good wishes for the Malden teacher. “As cochair of the STEM Advisory Council, I recognize the importance and value of engaging science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in our classrooms throughout the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “Ms. Hedrington is an excellent math teacher who is committed to providing her students with access and opportunity.” “Ms. Hedrington is a wonderful advocate for her students, whether the subject is math or life,” said Education Secretary Peyser. “It is a pleasure to recognize her contributions to Malden and its students with this honor.”
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