Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) is incredibly proud to share that Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Math Teacher, Nathan Whitfield, has been named a semifinalist for 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Whitfield is one of 10 teachers who were selected as semifinalists statewide.
Whitfield reflected on the honor, writing in part, “My grandfather was forced to stop school and work picking cotton in the Mississippi Delta to ensure his family had their basic needs met, and now as his grandson, that history adds perspective to the humility I have in educating students and hopefully providing a modicum of an opportunity and access that so many before me, like him, never even had the right to engage in.” He continued, “This moment, for all it means, will never be lost on me and I'm excited that CPS has given me the chance to even engage this possibility.”
Superintendent Dr. Victoria L. Greer praised Whitfield, who has been with CPS since September 2019, saying “we are so very proud of Mr. Whitfield’s accomplishments and the difference he makes every day to educate and inspire our scholars.”
Director of Mathematics, Siobahn Mulligan, echoed the excitement for Mr. Whitfield, adding “There are not enough words to express the amount of respect and admiration I have for the work Mr. Whitfield engages in. I am elated that his commitment to educating each and every student he encounters in an equitable and holistic way is being recognized on such a large scale.”
Three to four finalists will be named in May/June and the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year will be announced in the fall.