About

This section features the goals of MassEdWatch as well as info about the author!

  1. Goals of MassEdWatch:
  • To share digestible bits of info on Ed Policy & Practice issues, programs, and events.
  • Provide a context for Ed policy discussions in MA. Content and commentary are geared towards Educators/Advocates/Parents/Legislators.

Many people and publications feature content on Ed Policy. MassEdWatch intends to be a one stop shop for all things Ed policy & practice in MA. We focus on sharing the policy issues at play, highlighting the major players and stakeholders affected by/implementing the policy, and serve as an outlet that provides commentary on issues of importance to educators, parents, advocates and legislators. It is our hope that by providing digestible bits of information, we will showcase the great work of Massachusetts as well as discuss where we need to go to stay competitive in the 21st century global economy.

2.  Kerry Akashian

Currently I serve as a consultant for Massachusetts Parents United and History Unerased. Projects include analyzing MA proposed History standards for the inclusion of diverse content, supporting the City of Lowell in their efforts to support the GLBTQ community, and increasing funding sources for both organizations.

Partial List of Important Work Focused on Elevating the Voices of Women & Minorities in Massachusetts

 K-12

  • Created and implemented the Public Service and Civic Engagement Academy where women and minority students were trained and placed in hundreds of community organizations (including offices of elected officials) to gain work experience before leaving high school.
  • Created a speaker series where women and minority students had the opportunity to learn from hundreds of authors, activists, and business and political leaders.
  • Won a grant for secondary students to attend the Massachusetts Conference for Women.
  • Worked with New Bedford High School administrators to develop a strategy to include women’s issues in the curriculum.
  • Advised a principal in Fall River on relational-cultural theory in the context of collaborating with female teachers.
  • Created, implemented, and advocated for several new secondary level courses including the first African American literature course at Lowell High School.
  • Created and implemented “Voices in Literature”, a multicultural literature and writing course used to amplify the voices of women and minorities.
  • Served on a leadership committee to add financial literacy to the curriculum.

Institutions of Higher Education

  • Presented recommendations to Bentley University’s Center for Women in Business on the collaboration with Massachusetts State Government’s leadership fellowship for young women.
  • Presented recommendations to Bentley University on career readiness initiatives for women and minorities.

State Advocacy Work

  • Researched and presented recommendations to the Commissioner of Elementary & Secondary Education on the work of Executive Order 550 and The Successful Women, Successful Families, Successful Economy: An Action Agenda for the Commonwealth report. Focused on strategies to improve outcomes for students, teachers, and women in the workforce.
  • Supervised the revision of the English Language Arts Teacher Licensure for grades (8-12), advocated and increased the number of female authors presented, and led the public comment process.
  • Served on a national board to analyze standardized tests for bias and question clarity.
  • Analyzed game show questions for bias and presented findings.
  • Partnered with several change organizations including Future Ready to identify opportunities for women and minorities in MA.
  • Served on a state-wide board to infuse LGBTQ issues into the curriculum.

 Executive Education

  • Served on the Bulfinch Group’s Women in Leadership Board.
  • Served as a life and career coach for emerging adult women entering the workforce.
  • Conducted a workshop for executives on working with women in the workforce.
  • Provided recommendations and resource referral to the Bulfinch Group on ways to attract and retain women.
  • Developed curriculum for emerging adult women entering the workforce.

Academic:

  • Won a dissertation research scholarship for research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology to learn the concepts of life design for improving women’s lives.
  • Won a Women, Power, and Peace Scholarship to study at the Omega Institute.
  • Wrote and presented content on women’s issues in the form of blog posts, research, press releases, and other communications materials.
  • Researched and presented findings on emerging adult women’s experiences of entering the workforce.
  • Delivered a Ted Talk on tapping into the potential of emerging adult women.

Creative/Business Pursuits/Works in Progress

  • Member of Boston Business Women
  • Developed “InnoWoman”, Boston’s revolutionary superhero
  • Currently operate a rare book and ephemera business called “Antiquarian Barbie”, the business preserves old documents, municipal ledgers, and books from Massachusetts (small business experience)
  • Created MassEdWatch-a work in progress focusing on reporting policy and practice issues in Massachusetts on the topic of education.
  • “Fallon in the City”