McKinley South End Volunteer Receives Mentor of the Year Award

On June 11th, Boston Partners in Education honored the volunteer academic mentors, teachers, and corporate partners who serve Boston’s public school students at their annual AMP! Awards. The awards are presented in seven categories to recognize individuals and partners who have demonstrated an exemplary dedication to improving the lives and education of BPS students through their relationship with Boston Partners.

“Our annual AMP Awards acknowledge the continued devotion of all the people and organizations that keep Boston Partners in Education thriving.” Said Erin McGrath, Executive Director of Boston Partners in Education. “These individuals work on the front lines of our mission. Whether they are volunteering, teaching, or partnering with our organization, everyone deserves recognition for their commitment. These awards are a small way to show them how grateful Boston Partners is for their dedicated work in our community.”

The John C. Rennie Mentor of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer who embodies what it means to be a Boston Partners in Education academic mentor. Beyond demonstrating a sincere investment in the education of Boston Public Schools students, this mentor becomes an integral part of the classroom by embracing the role of friend and role model. The award was presented to Kathleen Weld, a mentor at McKinley South End Academy, for her dedicated, skillful, and wise contributions to the classroom. Weld was recognized for her ability to build relationships with students and challenge them academically, as well as for her cooperation with the teacher and understanding of the classroom dynamic and learning process.

The Pamela L. Trefler School Partner Award is presented to a school that truly invests in its community partners to create additional support systems for students. This school values the contributions of volunteers, often going the extra mile to make its mentors and programs welcome additions to the school. This year’s award was presented to Fenway High School, recognizing the school’s dedication to their students and its longstanding partnership with Boston Partners in Education’s volunteer mentors. Over the five years of partnership between the school and Boston Partners, Fenway High School steadily grew its recruitment of academic mentors, strengthened its approach to nominating students for in-class assistance, and incorporated volunteers into the school culture to make them feel part of the community.

The Betsy A. Nelson Educator of the Year Award is presented to an educator dedicated to providing students with extra support through in-class mentorship. The educator demonstrates a commitment to Boston Partners’ mentors by making them truly feel like a member of their classroom. The award was presented to Kelly Lewis, an 8th grade teacher at the Jackson/Mann K-8 School in Allston. Ms. Lewis was awarded the honor for her extraordinary commitment to the seven volunteers who assist students in her classroom. Ms. Lewis’ sincere dedication includes meeting with mentors before and after class to discuss student progress and update the volunteers on schedule changes or upcoming tests, and encouraging other teachers to nominate students for academic mentorship.

See all the photos from the 2019 AMP! Awards here

The Isabel G. Besecker Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a passionate support of public education and has set a positive example to Boston Public Schools students. The award was presented to Lauren Basler, a Power Lunch mentor at the Mildred Avenue K-8 School in Mattapan. Basler, who works as the Enriched Life Director at the Standish Village Assisted Living & Compass Memory Support Community, was recognized for her efforts in involving senior citizens at Standish Village with Boston Partners’ Power Lunch program. The partnership Basler has built allows her clients to support students at the Mildred Avenue School each week, while also combating negative stereotypes around senior citizens.

The Nicholas A. Lopardo Corporate Partner Award is presented to an organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities for students in the Boston Public Schools. This year’s award was presented to Landmark Partners, a private equity and real estate investment firm headquartered in Connecticut, for their support in addressing opportunity gaps in the Boston Public Schools and exposing students to professional possibilities. Landmark Partners has helped to reinforce the mission of Boston Partners by promoting volunteerism within their company culture and encouraging staff to mentor within the Boston Public Schools. This year, seven professionals from Landmark’s 20-member Boston-based team volunteered as academic mentors.

The Joyna Bozzotto Award is presented to a dedicated mentor who has volunteered with Boston Partners in Education for five or more years. The award was presented to academic mentor Jean McGreary, an 8-year volunteer at both the Josiah Quincy and the Thomas Gardner elementary schools in Boston. McGreary was recognized for her expanding role with Boston Partners in Education, taking on a new role as the Power Lunch Site Coordinator at Gardner Elementary, as well as her commitment to volunteering with multiple students.

The Pamela Civins Rookie of the Year Award is presented to a first-year partner who has immediately demonstrated a deep understanding of the commitment that academic mentoring requires. The award was presented to Mohammed Al-Noor, a volunteer mentor at the Haynes Early Education Center in Roxbury. A graduate of Bunker Hill Community College, Al-Noor was recognized for his enthusiasm and patience in the classroom, in addition to his impact on Boston Partners’ volunteer community. Al-Noor has been a fixture at all support sessions and social events hosted by Boston Partners in Education.

Since 1966, Boston Partners in Education has provided tens of thousands of children who are struggling in school with the tools necessary to become better learners, by mobilizing and training community members to serve as volunteer academic mentors to K-12 students across the BPS district. Teachers nominate individual students who could use additional academic or socio-emotional support, and Boston Partners in Education pairs a mentor to work independently each week with the student throughout the school year.

To learn more about how to get involved as an academic mentor, please visit www.bostonpartners.org or fill out a volunteer application.

About Boston Partners in Education

Founded in 1966, Boston Partners in Education (Boston Partners) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students in the Boston Public Schools (BPS) through our in-classroom academic mentoring services. We are a longstanding and trusted partner of BPS, responding and adapting to the needs of students and their teachers. We prepare volunteers of all ages and backgrounds from Boston’s diverse neighborhoods to serve as academic mentors to students. Our trained academic mentors work with students directly in the classroom during the school day for at least an hour each week. This consistent support helps any student fill academic gaps and build the self-confidence necessary to achieve their goals.