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Teachers touch students’ lives every day making an impact that can last a lifetime. During Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, BPS teachers share their reflections on the educators who influenced their love of learning and education.

Meet Longest-Serving BPS Educators During National Teacher Appreciation Week

May 4 - May 8 is National Teacher Appreciation Week!

Boston Public Schools proudly celebrates the 6,500-plus incredible educators who uplift, inspire, and empower our 46,000-plus students every day. From our veteran teachers who share years of wisdom, to our mid-career educators adapting to students' evolving needs, to our newest teachers bringing fresh energy into our classrooms -- thank you.

You nurture curiosity, create safe and welcoming spaces, and help every student discover their potential. Your impact lasts a lifetime.

Tuesday, May 5, is National Teacher Appreciation Day. BPS Superintendent celebrates our educators who help students reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

“Please join me today, on National Teacher Appreciation Day, and during this entire week to appreciate the hard work of the Boston Public Schools’ more than 6,500 dedicated teachers and recognize the indelible impact they have on our students’ lives,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. "In classrooms across the district, our teachers’ creativity and passion for education inspires and challenges our students every day. They foster students’ curiosity, give encouragement when they face obstacles, and provide safe, nurturing learning environments where they can grow and thrive. I am a teacher first. My years in the classroom continue to guide the decisions I make today as superintendent. Let’s pause and thank our teachers for all they do to ensure that every BPS student has the opportunity to realize their full potential.”

This week, we also are highlighting some of the longest-serving teachers in the BPS.

Linda Titus, Guild Elementary School

Linda has been a BPS teacher since September 1986 and has taught at Guild Elementary since 1993!

For Linda, teaching is more than a career. It has been a lifelong commitment to supporting, encouraging, and helping her students grow academically and personally. She appreciates the opportunity to build strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues while creating a positive and nurturing learning environment.

“Watching students gain confidence, overcome challenges, and achieve success has been the most rewarding part of my journey,” she said. “I am proud to have dedicated my career to education and to the Boston Public School community.”

Maxine Wigfall, Boston Adult Technical Academy

Maxine started teaching in BPS in September 1984 at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School!

She has taught Math and Computer Science at BATA since 2008. Prior to BATA, she spent 23 years teaching math and computer science at Boston Latin Academy.

Maxine calls serving BPS both a "privilege and a joy.” She appreciates influencing the lives of students and says their respect and resilience has enriched hers.

Janet Breen, TechBoston Academy

Janet started teaching in BPS in September 1986!

She has worked at TechBoston Academy since 1999 as a computer teacher and then the registrar. Prior to that, she taught at Dever Elementary School, the Lewenberg Middle School, and the Longfellow School.

The students and staff Janet has worked with and alongside motivate her to be the best she can for her school communities. She especially loves working at TechBoston, where her relationships with students and staff make them feel like “family.”

Brenda Richardson, Trotter Elementary School

Brenda has taught at Trotter Elementary for her entire career and currently is a science specialist. Furthermore, Brenda enjoys the distinction of teaching at the same school she attended!

A caring teacher she met as a student believed in her potential and encouraged her to love learning and love herself. Brenda pays it forward by supporting students on their unique educational journeys and providing that same encouragement she once received. Her reward for this dedicated guidance is receiving constant inspiration from students who teach her their new perspectives every day.

Maxina Rosa, Winship Elementary School

Maxina has been a BPS teacher since September 1980!

She has taught ESL at Winship Elementary since 2006. Prior to that she taught Grades 2 and 4.

Maxina loves teaching! Her students and colleagues inspire her every day with their optimism and curiosity. The investment she makes into the academic lives of her students keeps Maxina "young," and she has plenty more to give!

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Educators Share Reflections in Celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week 2025

Teachers touch students’ lives every day. Whether it’s nurturing a love of reading, providing a space to share personal challenges, or being a strong role model, Boston Public Schools (BPS) educators make a lifelong impact on students.

During national Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 (May 5-9), BPS honors its teachers and celebrates their dedication to meeting the needs of more than 48,000 students. Through hard work, creativity, and commitment, the district’s educators provide a safe and supportive learning environment for every student.

In recognition of this special time of year, BPS teachers reflected on the educators who influenced their love of learning and offered friendly advice to those new to the classroom.

Fenway High School teacher Keiron Jeremiah remembered his 10th grade chemistry teacher Mrs. Pica who provided a “safe haven” for students to talk about their lives. He noted that her “level headed” approach to working with teenagers taught him a lot about patience.

Jeremiah wants new teachers to be aware of the impact they have on students. “They see you every single day. When they are feeling good. When they are feeling bad,” he said. “You make a big difference in their lives and hopefully you know that and you are responsible for how you interact with them.”

Fellow Fenway High teacher Juliette Rorie said Mrs. Fergus, her teacher at the former Agassiz Elementary School in Jamaica Plain, sparked her love of books and stories when she read Harry Potter to her fifth grade class. Coincidentally, Mrs. Fergus was a student of Rorie’s grandmother.

Rorie added, “Teaching runs in my family and when I saw the impact that it could have over generations, I just knew that it was something that it was something that I was going to do with my life.”

BPS Cancer Survivor Urges Community To Make Change, Join Research Movement

The VOICES of Black Women study, led by the American Cancer Society, is a groundbreaking national effort to better understand the health of Black women through long-term research.

BPS Cancer Survivor Urges Community To Make Change, Join Research Movement

Boston Public Schools believes we take care of our own, and that commitment calls us to action.

Sarita Thomas, educator, leader and member of our BPS family, has spent 13-plus years courageously battling breast cancer. Her journey has revealed something we cannot ignore: Black women remain underrepresented in the research that shapes prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. That gap has real consequences, and Sarita is urging our community to step forward and be counted.

The VOICES of Black Women study, led by the American Cancer Society, is a groundbreaking national effort to better understand the health of Black women through long-term research. With support of trusted partners like the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the goal is to engage 100,000 Black women in a longitudinal study, one that tracks health over time through surveys participants take every six months.

Participation is straightforward, but the impact is profound.

If you are:

A Black woman
Between the ages of 25 and 55
Living in the United States
And have never been diagnosed with cancer (except basal or squamous skin cancer)

Your voice is needed.

Sarita’s story highlights the urgency. Diagnosed with cancer in 2013, she has faced multiple recurrences, including an aggressive form of breast cancer that disproportionately affects Black women. Through it all, she has remained committed to ensuring others do not have to walk the same path without better answers, better care, and better outcomes.

BPS is a community rooted in care, advocacy and collective responsibility. By participating in VOICES, we honor that mission. We support our colleagues, our families, and future generations by helping researchers gather the data needed to improve health equity.

This is not a one-time message. It is a movement – one we will continue to lift across our school communities, central offices and beyond in the weeks ahead.

Let your voice be heard. Share this opportunity. Be part of the change.

Join the study today: voices.cancer.org. Enter code 2101 when signing up.

Sarita Thomas and Dr. Liza Swedarsky both are ambassadors for the American Cancer Society’s VOICES of Black Women study.

BPS All-Star Marching Band Enjoys Historic Debut Alongside Boston Legacy FC

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) All-Star Marching Band delivered its highly anticipated debut performance Sunday, March 14, at Gillette Stadium during Boston Legacy FC’s inaugural match.

BPS All-Star Marching Band Enjoys Historic Debut Alongside Boston Legacy FC

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The sound of drums echoed, brass rang out, and a new Boston tradition was born.
The Boston Public Schools (BPS) All-Star Marching Band delivered its highly anticipated debut performance Sunday, March 14, at Gillette Stadium during Boston Legacy FC’s inaugural match. Made up of 75 talented students from 10 high schools across the city, the band brought energy, precision, and pride to the field, marking a milestone moment, not only for the students, but also for arts education in Boston.
The performance was the culmination of months of rehearsals, collaboration, and dedication. Students balanced after-school practices at their home schools with full ensemble sessions, building not only musical excellence but a strong sense of community across neighborhoods.

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“The BPS All-Star Marching Band reflects the extraordinary talent that exists across Boston Public Schools and our commitment to ensuring every student has access to high-quality arts education and meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom,” said BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper. “By bringing together students from across the district and connecting their passion for music with paid performance experiences, we are opening doors to college, career, and leadership pathways while strengthening school pride and community. We are grateful to the Band Directors, educators, and staff whose dedication makes this program possible, as well as Mayor Wu, Boston Legacy Football Club and our local partners for investing in our young people and creating opportunities that support their growth as students, leaders, and performers.”
For students like Justin Clarke, the experience has been transformative. “This has been a very eye-opening experience for me,” he shared. “Being able to play with these very talented musicians and learn from these amazing teachers has made me become a better musician overall.”
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Boston Green Academy Band Director Charlie Cevallos emphasized how the band represents connections between schools, cultures, and futures. “I am excited to be part of this initiative that is building musical community between our students across schools and neighborhoods,” he said. “The students are constantly learning from each other through the marching band and growing both as musicians and as citizens of Boston.”
As the official band for Boston Legacy FC, the All-Star Marching Band will continue to perform throughout the season, inspiring fans and showcasing the power of student artistry on a major stage.
Learn more about the BPS Visual and Performing Arts Department: bpsarts.org
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Boston Public Schools Students Recognized as Grand Prize Winners in Aspen Challenge: Boston

Students from Boston International Newcomers Academy and TechBoston Academy have been named grand prize winners of the Aspen Challenge: Boston, a program of the Aspen Institute in partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation.

Photo by Annielly Camargo

Boston Public Schools Students Recognized as Grand Prize Winners in Aspen Challenge: Boston

BOSTON — Friday, April 17, 2026 — Boston Public Schools (BPS) is proud to announce that students from Boston International Newcomers Academy (BINcA) and TechBoston Academy have been named grand prize winners of the Aspen Challenge: Boston, a program of the Aspen Institute in partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation.

The Aspen Challenge: Boston engaged student teams from 15 local public high schools to design solutions regarding pressing issues impacting their communities every day. At the Solution Showcase, teams of approximately eight students presented their projects to a panel of local experts and peers through formal presentations and interactive exhibits.

Over the course of ten weeks, students identified a challenge, conducted research, and implemented solutions addressing topics such as community violence, access to healthy food, social media use, educational access for immigrant families, and intergenerational connection. Each team received $500 in seed funding through the Aspen Challenge to support their work.

Photo by Annielly Camargo

“Opportunities like the Aspen Challenge give our students the space to lead, think critically and apply their learning in meaningful ways,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “We are incredibly proud of all of our students who participated and I extend my congratulations to each of the winning teams for this well-deserved recognition. Their work demonstrates a strong commitment to their communities and a thoughtful approach to addressing real-world challenges. Experiences like this help develop leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, and support our students in building the knowledge and confidence to contribute meaningfully and pursue a wide range of postsecondary opportunities.”

BINcA’s winning project, Building Resources for Immigrant Dreams, Goals and Education (B.R.I.D.G.E.), is a college access playbook designed to support immigrant families navigating the college application and financial aid process. The resource includes guidance from families who have completed the process, key terminology, cross-cultural comparisons, and tools for community-based workshops.

Photo by Annielly Camargo

“Our students understand firsthand the barriers many immigrant families face and they approached this project with both empathy and determination,” said Boston International Newcomers Academy Principal Tony King. “B.R.I.D.G.E. reflects their voices and their commitment to ensuring more families feel informed, supported and confident as they plan for their futures. We are proud of the work they’ve accomplished.”

TechBoston Academy’s winning project, We Give a Future, focuses on preventing community violence by expanding access to postsecondary pathways. Students organized workforce connector events to link graduating seniors with employment opportunities and resources for financial stability and long-term success.

Photo by Annielly Camargo

“In many ways, the TechBoston team’s success began after last year’s Aspen Challenge,” said TechBoston Academy Principal Patrick Cleary. “Rather than stepping back, they leaned in. By the summer, they had established a nonprofit, and by the fall, they were building partnerships with major unions. They’ve stayed committed to this work and to creating real opportunities for their peers. While this recognition is significant, what stands out most is the impact they’ve already made. This is a meaningful win not just for our students, but for the broader community.”

In addition to the grand prize winners, several BPS teams were recognized for their work. Another Course to College received the Collaboration Award for their focus on Intergenerational Collaboration, Charlestown High School earned the Community Engagement Award, and New Mission High School was selected for the People’s Choice Award, as voted on by participating students. Charlestown High School and New Mission High School were both recognized for their efforts to improve access to healthy food within their communities.

Photo by Annielly Camargo

“I am incredibly proud of how our students approached this work with a deep respect for the knowledge and experiences across generations,” said Principal of Another Course to College Demitri Curry. “They recognized the value of learning from those who came before them while also uplifting their own voices. This project reflects their ability to build meaningful connections that strengthen both their community and their own sense of purpose.”

Photo by Annielly Camargo

“We are proud of our students for the care and leadership they demonstrated through this project,” said Principal of New Mission High School Kareem Cutler. “They took the time to understand the barriers to accessing healthy food and developed a solution that is both practical and rooted in equity. Their work is a strong example of our school's mission that our students are prepared 'to do well in and for the world,' and they lead change in their community.”

Photo by Annielly Camargo

“We are very proud of our students for taking a thoughtful and community-driven approach to this work,” said Principal of Charlestown High School Ajay Trivedi. “They focused on the needs of those around them and worked collaboratively to develop a solution that reflects both care and accountability. This recognition speaks to their commitment to creating healthier, more equitable outcomes for their community.”

As grand prize winners, students from BINcA and TechBoston Academy will participate in an all-expense-paid trip to the Aspen Ideas Festival, held in June at the Aspen Institute’s campus in Aspen. At the Festival, students will present their projects, share their experiences, and highlight their ongoing efforts to address critical issues in their communities. They will be joined by two student teams from Aspen Challenge Detroit, with winners to be announced.

Participating Schools and Challenges:

Another Course to College - Intergenerational Cooperation
Boston Arts Academy - Access to Healthy Food
Boston Green Academy - Navigating phone usage and social media addiction
Boston International Newcomers Academy - Education Opportunities for Immigrants
Boston Latin Academy - Intergenerational Cooperation
Brighton High School - Access to Healthy Food
Charlestown High School - Access to Healthy Food
Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers - Access to Healthy Food
Excel High School - Access to Healthy Food
Fenway High School - Navigating phone usage and social media addiction
Lawrence High School - Education Opportunities for Immigrants
Margarita Muñiz Academy - Education Opportunities for Immigrants
New Mission High School - Access to Healthy Food
TechBoston Academy - Preventing community violence
Somerville High School - Access to Healthy Food

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About Boston Public Schools

The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 48,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 109 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

About Aspen Challenge

The Aspen Challenge is an Aspen Institute initiative that provides inspiration, tools, and a platform for young people to design solutions to some of the most critical problems humanity faces. For more information on Aspen Challenge, please visit www.aspenchallenge.org.

Events

Apr 13

Parent, Teacher, and Community Association Meeting

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Apr 15

Sample Event

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Apr 18

Saturday Recreational Tennis

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Apr 19

College Counseling Fair with State University and Community Colleges

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Josiah Quincy Upper School

We are the first and only Boston Public Elementary School to become an accredited International Baccalaureate World School. We have a guaranteed K-12 pathway; both the Elementary and Upper School are accredited IB Schools. We offer a one-way Chinese Bilingual Program for families who speak Chinese at home.

Learn more about the IB curriculum at ibo.org. Our website is jqes.org.

Unique Features

We seek to provide a welcoming environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning where everyone can practice being curious, resourceful, and responsible global citizens. Our vision is to prepare students to be contributing global citizens.

Before School Programs

Boston Music Project orchestra program available five days a week for K1-Grade 5. Financial assistance is available for families who qualify. Girls Inc. (two sessions during the school year) is available for girls in Grades 3-5. Wang YMCA morning program is located across the street from our school and a Wang YMCA staff member walks students to JQES before school begins.

After School Programs

Community based programs through the local BCYF (based on grade level). Programming includes sports, sewing/crafts, Legos, STEM & coding, dance, etc. After school programs offered by local community organizations include Red Oak After School Program - Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Wang YMCA, Castle Square Tenants Organization Square Roots Program, ACCESS, Chung Wah Academy, Kwong Kow Chinese School, IDILL, PBHA Chinatown Afterschool, Little Panda, Sunkissed Acorn and Sunshine.

Additional Information

Partners

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Language Programming Text

Specialized Education Programs

Family Engagement Opportunities

Our school offers strong family engagement through a robust School Community Council that organizes events like outdoor movie nights and coffee hours, and hosts guest speakers. The School Site Council and its subcommittees involve families and caregivers in strategic decision-making. We also hold Equity Roundtable conversations with diverse stakeholders to address opportunity and achievement gaps, focusing on supporting our most marginalized students.

Contact

Heads of School
Steve Cirasuolo
Richard Chang

Josiah Quincy Upper School
900 Washington St,
Boston, MA 02111

quincyupper@bostonpublicschools.org

Phone: 617-635-8940
Fax: 617-635-8945

School Hours

Grades 6 & 7:
8:30 - 3:30 (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri)
8:30 - 12:10 (Wednesday)

Grades 8-12:
7:40am - 2:40pm (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri)
7:40am - 11:20pm (Wednesday)

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