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The power of partnerships, preparation, and purpose were central to the School of Education Spring Symposium, which featured a fireside chat with the Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools, Mary Skipper.
The wide-ranging discussion at the Library Lecture Hall on March 31st featured perspectives from Skipper’s professional journey and advice for young teachers.
Education is a vocation that Skipper finds joy in daily, even after 30 years. She advised Saints to put students and relationship building at the center of their journey.
“I applaud all of you who are thinking about going into education,” said Skipper. “I want you to know that as complex is the educational landscape is, the reward is so much greater…because you are not just a teacher: You are also a mentor, a role model, sometimes a counselor, a listener, and a connector to the family. You have the ability to literally change a life.”
In introducing Skipper, Emmanuel Dean of Education Sr. Karen Hokanson, SNDdeN noted that nearly 50 soon-to-be-licensed teachers from the Class of 2026 were in attendance. She credited the Boston Public Schools with providing many of those Saints with valuable opportunities to apply what they have learned in the field.
“As a former high school principal for two Catholic schools, I have always valued collaboration with the Boston Public Schools and that partnership continues today at Emmanuel College,” said Sr. Karen. “Our education majors complete their pre-practicum and practicum experiences in many of your schools, and we are deeply grateful for the mentorship they receive.”
Skipper credited Emmanuel with doing “amazing work” with the Boston Public Schools, saying the best partnerships are both impactful and practical. She also credited Emmanuel’s graduate education certificate programs for moderate disabilities and English language learners as valuable preparation that addresses needs in the district.
“The more knowledge and skill you have to teach the continuum of kids, the more successful you'll be,” said Skipper. “That's why I'm a big believer in getting all of those licenses.”
Skipper has been at the helm of the state’s largest school district since 2022. It was a return to Boston after seven years as superintendent for the Somerville schools; she held various administrative positions with the Boston schools from 1997 to 2015.
Like many educators, Skipper was inspired by teachers who went above and beyond. One was a Latin instructor, who helped her get caught up on phonics in the seventh grade. She fell in love with the subject and started her career as a Latin teacher in 1989. Skipper didn’t set out to become an administrator. Instead she was offered a principal position after designing the Tech Boston Academy for the Boston Public Schools.
“You're going to find along the way in your career, that people will take risks on you; They invest in you,” said Skipper. “I didn't picture myself as a principal…but because other people saw things in me and they took that risk, it happened.”
Skipper also advised students to reflect on why they want to teach. It’s a topic she’s interested in when interviewing perspective hires, and it can also be a source of resiliency.
“As a teacher, you are going to have challenges,” said Skipper. “But knowing your ‘why’ -knowing what drives you - that is stronger than all of those challenges.”
“Mary Skipper, Superintendent of Boston Public SchoolsI think Emmanuel does amazing work with the Boston Public Schools. There are so many different ways that you are connected… for a smaller college, you are pretty deeply involved in being impactful in lots of good ways.”
