3 Somerville High School Teachers Honored By Mass. Teachers Association

SOMERVILLE, MA – Three Somerville High School teachers were recognized by the Massachusetts Teachers Association Friday at a gala event honoring educators' commitment to civil rights and human relations. Kevin Dua, Amber Jackson and Cynthia Massillon all received the Kathleen Roberts Creative Leadership Award.

The awards were presented during the 2017 MTA Human and Civil Rights awards banquet at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Norwood. The three educators created the "Matter Speaks" series at Somerville High School, which invites students and staff to discuss issues of race, identity, ethnicity and self-awareness.

"Today, more so than ever before, it is important to us as organizers, educators, adults and people to continue to be on the right side of critical thinking, expression, truth, civic engagement, education and human connection," Dua said at the gala.

Massillon added that she has seen the series expand students' understanding of multiple perspectives of the same event.

"Our students are resisting the verbal hegemony that tells them every day that their lived truths are false," she said. "This series is an affirmation of their voices."

And Jackson dedicated her award to the kids.

"This whole series has been so much fun because we’re seeing the kids really start to feel that their voices matter, and that’s why we go to work every day anyway — to see the kids empowered," Jackson said.

Photo: Tim Pierce, via Wikimedia Commons