Interscholastic athletic competition is an extension of the classroom and an educational activity that provides outstanding opportunities to teach life lessons. Through participation in such programs, young people learn values and skills that help prepare them for the future. Leadership, goal setting, teamwork, decision making, perseverance, integrity, sacrifice, healthy competition and overcoming adversity are inherent in the interscholastic athletic framework and also support the academic mission of schools. Student-athletes earn the privilege to participate by succeeding academically, and the resulting positive outcomes continue far beyond graduation. These programs exist to prepare young men and women for the next level of life, not the next level of athletics. Wins are achieved through athletics by developing successful athletes and teams, but more importantly, wins are achieved through the educational experience by developing successful and responsible students, leaders and community members.
The goals of the Educational Athletics Committee are to support educational professionals and prepare coaches to fulfill the role of “teacher-coach,” as curriculum leaders who teach the values and skills inherent in interscholastic athletics. With the guidance and support of the Educational Athletics Committee, curriculum strands referred to as “pillars,” will be identified, developed and integrated into all interscholastic athletic programs. The Educational Athletics Committee, consisting of Association constituents, will serve in an advisory capacity to achieve these goals. Pursuant to the committee’s mission, the following “pillars” of educational athletics have been established.
Liaison – Peter Smith, MIAA
Derrick Beasley, Athletic Director, Cathedral High School
Peter Boucher, Athletic Director, Milford High School
Kate Breen, Retired Teacher/Coach
Andrew Crisafulli, Athletic Director, Joseph Case High School
Paul Daigle, Retired Principal
Avery Esdaile, Athletic Director Boston Public Schools
Kelly Wolff, Athletic Director, Swampscott High School
Mitch Finnegan, Director of HPE, Weston High School
Phil Fogelman, Education Director, Anti-Defamation League
Ryan Ford, Scholastic Division, Jostens-Scholastic Solutions
Scott Hutchinson, Athletic Director, Hanover High School
Deirdre King, Guidance Counselor, Hopkinton High School
David Mahery, Pro Stairs
Naomi Martin, Athletic Director, Lexington High School
Brian McNally, Wellness Coordinator, Andover High School
Maria Melchionda, Executive Director, MAHPERD
Michael O’Connor, Athletic Director, Ursuline Academy
Peter Schafer, Superintendent, Abington High School
Sylvia Stepien, Retired Teacher, Millbury
Michael Vaughan, Guidance Counselor, Leicester High School
Meeting information for the 2023-2024 school year will be posted soon.
Click here to view the Pillars of Educational Athletics Curriculum – Link is Under Construction
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