JOINT RELEASE: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan Partners with Medford Public Schools to Provide Teacher/Staff Professional Development on Systemic Racism and White Privilege  

MEDFORD - Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent today announced a partnership that will provide the Medford Public School community with necessary and important professional development around systemic racism and white privilege.  

“Understanding and addressing systemic racism and white privilege is a community issue that calls for education, conversation and change.  I am grateful for the partnership of Dr. Edouard-Vincent, who also serves on the Middlesex County Anti-Hate, Anti-Bias Task Force and has been a part of our new Assistant District Attorney professional development training.  With her leadership on this issue, we are now able to share some of our curriculum, bringing this training to teachers and staff in Medford.  Collaborating  to ensure that our work is done using  the lens of racial equity is extremely important in moving forward to create a more unbiased and unified society,” said District Attorney Ryan.

“I am so grateful that District Attorney Ryan has agreed to collaborate with us on this important professional development.  The work the Medford Public Schools laid out over this past summer has evolved into action.  We appointed an Anti Racist Educational Task Force that meets twice a month to discuss the needs of updating our curriculum, as well as, policies and procedures within our school community.  Additionally, we have made it a priority to provide professional development to our teachers and staff in order to address racist beliefs, practices and systems, as well as engage in difficult conversations that will lead to a better understanding for all,” said the Superintendent.

“The collaboration with the District Attorney is a good thing. Having a true partner in this work is a step in the right direction. Our teachers are committed to professional development and ongoing learning to enhance their instructional practices,” said Charlene Douglas, President of the Medford Teachers Association. 

Next Tuesday, March 2, 2021, the Medford Public Schools will be utilizing the day to learn, discuss and provide critical feedback on racism and white privilege in our daily lives, as well as, the general curriculum.  Leading the discussion for the Medford teachers and staff will be Assistant District Attorneys from Middlesex County who have participated in the training through the District Attorney’s Office. 

As part of the training participants will be required to complete a reading and watch two videos that address white privilege and systemic racism.  Attendees will then be asked to reflect on this content through a virtual discussion where they will reflect on their own experiences and seek to examine issues of racial equity in their own work.

“We look forward to working together with DA Ryan and her wonderful team as we put in the important work of building a more inclusive and anti-racist school community”, said Edouard-Vincent.