Hope in Holyoke

Sergio Paez, Ed.M.,'99 is man on a mission. As superintendent of Holyoke (Mass.) Public Schools, Paez is striving to eradicate the gap in literacy and low expectations among disadvantaged youth. Paez returned to the Harvard Graduate School of Education to discuss with students in the International Education Policy and Education Policy and Management programs the opportunities and challenges of advancing reforms that seek greater social justice. Holyoke Public Schools is the lowest performing school and highest poverty district in Massachusetts. His goal is not just to increase results in the district, but to create a sustainable, long-lasting culture of student achievement, community support, and educational quality in Holyoke. 

While an Ed School student, Paez was able to craft his mission about social change in public schools. During his talk on campus, Paez spoke about the principles he profoundly believes will change the education culture in Holyoke. According to Paez, quality education is fundamental right that should be accessible to everyone. Yet, Paez is facing a tough challenge in helping the Holyoke school community believe how important it is to change the status quo. As a leader, he wants create a mindset where responsibility in improving standards and quality lies with teachers, students, and the community. He strongly advocates the power of transformative education as a way to build up the Holyoke community.

For example, Paez has dedicated himself towards creating the future leaders of Holyoke by providing guidance and skills workshops for high school students. He is also helping teachers develop and master their craft so that they can deliver the transformative education students deserve. In addition, he is looking to work with partners for creative solutions on delivering quality early literacy education, which he sees as a vital initiative for stemming the low-performance culture of Holyoke public schools. In facing the challenges of leading a change of long established norms and a culture of low expectations Paez is sustained by a sense of  duty to pay it forward and give students a fair chance to grow and develop as thinkers and productive members of society. The lively exchange with students made visible to all how wide HGSE’s reach and impact is in supporting our most disadvantaged students, and how valuable to today’s students, it is to be in conversation with leaders who are transforming educational opportunity.

Jose Isaac Villanueva is an HGSE IEP candidate for 2015, and Carlos Aldrete is a Harvard College B.A. candidate 2015