Worcester Woman Named 2026 Commonwealth Heroine

WORCESTER, MA — A local educator has been named a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

Suchira Channoi, a Worcester Public Schools Head Start educator, was nominated by state Rep. David LeBoeuf (D-17th Worcester) to represent the 17th Worcester District, according to the representative. The annual award recognizes women across Massachusetts for contributions to their communities and organizations, according to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

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Channoi, who was born in Thailand and came to the United States as an au pair, earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from Worcester State University. She now works with Worcester Public Schools’ Child Development Head Start program, which serves low-income children and families.

LeBoeuf said Channoi has built nearly two decades of early education experience and is now a curriculum and instructional support specialist at the Head Start program. Worcester Public Schools lists Channoi as a Head Start education manager.

Her work has included helping develop the Seeds of STEM curriculum, an early childhood science, technology, engineering and math program created with Worcester Head Start educators. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Education and tested in Head Start classrooms in Worcester, according to published information from the Seeds of STEM project.

Channoi has also presented to other educators, including through the Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network, and serves as an adjunct professor, according to LeBoeuf. She is also pursuing a doctorate in STEM leadership at UMass Lowell while working full time.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women said its 2026 class includes 147 Commonwealth Heroines, the largest class in the award’s history.

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