Medford's Erika Reinfeld Announces Run For MPS School Committee

MEDFORD, MA — Building a campaign around three core principles — curriculum, culture and community —Erika Reinfeld has announced her candidacy for the Medford School Committee.

A mother of two Medford Public Schools students, Reinfeld said in an announcement release that she brings personal experience as a parent, professional experience as a STEM (science, technology, education, math) educator, and a passion for collaboration.

"Overall, my family has had very good experiences in the Medford schools," Reinfeld said. "And I want to make sure this is true for all MPS students and caregivers. I am building my campaign around three core principles— curriculum, culture, and community—to support students, empower teachers, and build a foundation of communication and trust as we look toward the future."

The School Committee election is on Nov. 7, with all six seats up for grabs. According to sources, incumbents Jenny Graham, Paul Ruseau and Melanie McLaughlin have announced they are seeking re-election, while Sharon Hays, Kathy Kreatz and Mea Quinn Mustone have chosen not to run.

The race currently features four challengers in Reinfeld, Aaron Olapade, John Intoppa and Nicole Branley.

Reinfeld currently works at MIT, where she runs a science communication lab, mentoring a cohort of communication lab fellows, while also teaching science communication to graduate students and others.

Prior to that position, she spent nearly 10 years managing the educational outreach program at MIT's Cancer Research Center, designing and teaching workshops for middle school and high school students, creating gallery exhibitions and managing public events.

Reinfeld also has managed educational programs for students and the public at MIT Museum and worked as an education specialist in the Science Education Department at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

In the local community, Reinfeld said she has regularly volunteered in classrooms, for PTO events and on field trips, and she has played a role in broadening events like Art Night and STEM Night at Roberts Elementary School.

Reinfeld also has served on MPS's HECAT Health Curriculum Review Committee.

Reinfeld said a recurring theme in her conversations with voters has been the importance of equity, inclusion and representation.

"Diversity and social justice are very important to me," Reinfeld said. "I want to be sure we are thinking about this broadly — not just in terms of the federally protected classes that often get talked about, but also including things like learning styles, neurodiversity, access to resources, home life and many more that I don't have room to list."

Reinfeld continued: "Creating a personalized educational journey is essential to students' future success. Doing that takes hard work and shared resources — all of which I'm prepared to advocate for as a School Committee member."

Reinfeld and her wife Sarah have lived in Medford Square since 2005 and their children attend Roberts Elementary and McGlynn Middle School respectively.