Mansfield Public Schools Hosts Future Teacher Signing Day Ceremony

Mansfield Public Schools hosted its annual Future Teacher Signing Day Ceremony this week, honoring 11 students who have committed to becoming part of the next generation of educators. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

MANSFIELD — Superintendent Teresa Murphy and Principal Russ Booth are pleased to share that Mansfield High School hosted its annual Future Teacher Signing Day Ceremony this week.

The third annual event was held on Tuesday, May 20, in the Mansfield High School Library. 

To emphasize the value of the teaching profession, Mansfield Public Schools hosted a Future Teacher Signing Day ceremony for students in the graduating Class of 2025 who plan to pursue careers in education. These ceremonies celebrate students’ commitment to education, highlight the vital work of educators and aim to inspire others to enter the profession.

This year, four of the future educators have parents who work in the Mansfield Public Schools as teachers or administrators.

During the ceremony, a total of 11 students signed letters acknowledging their commitment to the field of education:

• Amy Connors, University of Rhode Island, Secondary Education
• Sophie Curry, Endicott College, Elementary Education
• Carolyn Dalton, Westfield State University, Elementary Education
• William Doherty, Emmanuel College, Secondary Education
• Meghan Galante, Merrimack College, Elementary Education
• Jacob Gentili, Bridgewater State University, Elementary Education
• Isaac Gentili, Bridgewater State University, Elementary Education
• Jenna Gordon, University of Massachusetts, Elementary Education
• Audrey Long, University of Maine, Elementary Education
• Anne Neary, Penn State University, Early Childhood Education
• John Noonan, Bridgewater State University, Elementary Education

“This important event is just one way we emphasize the importance of the teaching profession,” said Principal Booth. “Events like these are more common when a high school student decides to play a particular sport at a particular college or university, but we want to call the same type of attention to future educators. Educators shape our community’s future and deserve an adequate celebration.”

Teachers in the district and families of honorees, along with school and district administrators, attended the event. Light refreshments were served following the ceremonial signing.

“I was thrilled to see our third Future Teacher Signing Day Ceremony come to life,” Superintendent Murphy said. “This event is quickly becoming a favorite Mansfield Public Schools tradition, and it’s a meaningful way to recognize Mansfield High School seniors who are committed to joining the next generation of educators.”

Each year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) encourages districts to host these events in recognition of young people who are inspired to enter the teaching profession.

About Future Teacher Signing Days (Source: Massachusetts DESE)

Besides students, educators are our primary resource in education, and it is important that young people be inspired to enter the teaching profession. As in past years, DESE encourages districts to hold a Future Teacher Signing Day event similar to the signing ceremony that takes place when a student athlete commits to play a sport at a specific college. Instead of recognizing an athletic commitment, a Future Teacher Signing Day celebrates graduating seniors who are pursuing a career in education.

These events can be held in a small or large setting. The Department encourages schools to invite the parents or guardians of participating students, representatives from the college the student will attend, local legislators, school committee members, city or town officials, the head of the local teachers’ union, the local press, and, if applicable, one or more teachers who the student says inspired them. In addition to recognizing students who are choosing to become educators, hosting such an event can help people see teaching as a valuable career worthy of celebration and may help inspire others to become educators.

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This year, four of the future educators have parents who work in the Mansfield Public Schools as teachers or administrators. They posed for a group photo with their parent-educators after the May 20 ceremony. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Sophie Curry plans to attend Endicott College and major in Elementary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Carolyn Dalton plans to attend Westfield State University and major in Elementary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

William Doherty plans to attend Emmanuel College and major in Secondary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Meghan Galante plans to attend Merrimack College and major in Elementary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Isaac Gentili plans to attend Bridgewater State University and major in Elementary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Jacob Gentili plans to attend Bridgewater State University and major in Elementary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Jenna Gordon plans to attend the University of Massachusetts and major in Elementary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Audrey Long plans to attend the University of Maine and major in Elementary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Anne Neary plans to attend Penn State University and major in Early Childhood Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

John Noonan plans to attend Bridgewater State University and major in Elementary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)

Amy Connors plans to attend the University of Rhode Island and major in Secondary Education. (Photo Courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)