Andover Woman Named 'Outstanding Educator of the Year'

The following is a news release:

Andover resident Dr. Marcia Drew Hohn was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education at its annual NETWORK Conference in April.

This award is presented to an educator in who has demonstrated leadership, met significant challenges in an effective way, supported others in the field, and shown selfless dedication, service and commitment to the principles of adult and continuing education.

Hohn has worked in the adult basic education field for more than 25 years. She currently serves as the director of the Public Education Institute at The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. In this role over the last decade, she pioneered a multi-pronged program to raise the visibility of immigrants’ economic and social contributions that included research, policy development and professional development. This work has been credited with changing the conversation about immigrants from deficits to assets.

A free, annual workshop she created for Massachusetts educators entitled “Teaching Immigration Across the Curriculum” debuted in 2005. In 2012, it was expanded to a national audience in an online format and continues to be offered annually. Additional online workshops customized for other audiences such as immigrant-serving organizations and community college staff have been added.

Previously, Hohn was Director of System for Adult Basic Education Support at Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence. She is also widely recognized for her work as a researcher, advocate and practitioner in literacy and health to address health disparities that disproportionately affect populations of color.