COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133
Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 28, 2022
Senator Joan B. Lovely Recognizes Latinx Educators During Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
BOSTON – Senator Joan B. Lovely recognized the hard work and dedication of Marycruz Somes, a dual language educator within the Salem Public Schools District, during the State of Latino Education event at the Massachusetts State House on October 5th.
Hosted by Latinos for Education, the event focused on the opportunity gaps that Latino students still face in Massachusetts’s education system and celebrated the resilience and leadership of Latino educators who have been working to ensure educational equity for all students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was the largest gathering of Latino educators in Massachusetts State House history.
Following the citation presentation, Senator Joan B. Lovely offered the following statement:
“I was honored to nominate Marycruz Somes for this year’s State of Latino Education Awards,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “As the Senator of two Gateway Cities, I understand firsthand the vital need to have educators of diverse backgrounds within our communities, and with whom our students can relate. As a Salem Public Schools educator and English as a Second Language teacher, Marycruz is helping to foster relationships and bridge cultural gaps that promote greater understanding and partnership between our children, families and schools. She is an asset to our city and is well-deserving of this prestigious honor. Thank you to Latinos for Education for continuing to create opportunities to celebrate and highlight our Latinx residents.”
“The goal of the State of Latino Education Summit was to spotlight the critical role that Latino educators and leaders play in achieving educational equity for Latino students. There are many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated, but with educators like Marycruz Somes and leaders like Senator Joan B. Lovely, we can tackle those challenges and chart a new path forward for Latino education,” said Amanda Fernandez, CEO of Latinos for Education.
“The Latinx educators we are celebrating this month play a critical role in reaching educational equity for Latinx students,” said Dr. Jessica Huizenga, Interim Executive Director, New England at Latinos for Education. “The positive impact they are making on the future generations of our country does not go unnoticed.”
To learn more about Latinos for Education, please visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org/