Educator, Leader, Service Worker, World Resident.
Hear why Gwen is running in her own words…
Gwen Agna has been an educator for over 45 years, most recently the principal of the Jackson St. Elementary School in Northampton, MA. She was trained in early childhood education and strove to promote the principles of child and human development in elementary school classrooms. She did her undergraduate work at Nottingham University College of Education, Nottingham, UK and has a master’s in education from Antioch New England Graduate School. She recently received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Smith College in Northampton, MA. She was awarded a Fulbright Memorial Teacher scholarship to study in Japan.
She was born in Myanmar and lived in Haiti as a child. She has traveled extensively in Asia and Europe. She taught preschool and kindergarten in schools in Ohio, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. She served as the Northampton Public Schools’ Early Childhood and Civil Rights Coordinator in the late 80’s and 90’s. In this position, she worked to incorporate social justice, anti-bias, and anti-racism in all aspects of classroom practice. She continued this work as the leader of the Jackson St. School. Recently retired, she is, as an elder, exploring all ways to share her knowledge and experience as well as to keep learning from humans of all ages. She is dedicated to making the world a safe and happy one for all children. She lives in Northampton with her husband, Tom Marantz, has two children, and two grandchildren.
I was a first-grade teacher at the Jackson Street School and worked with Gwen Agna, our principal, for eighteen years. She is an experienced and dedicated educator who is committed to the learning and development of the children in our community, to their families, and to the Northampton Public Schools. Her insight and experience, including her tenure on the Northampton School Committee, make her an exceptional candidate for the At-Large School Committee seat.
Mary Bates
“Having taught at Jackson St. School for all the years that Gwen Agna led the school, it is an honor to be part of Gwen’s re-election team. Her leadership style is inclusive, democratic, and organic. She is a deep listener, and knows how to grapple with the various perspectives that are part of all groups, whether it is a school community or a city-wide school committee. In these times, more than ever, we need leaders like Gwen.”
Kim Gerould
Meet Gwen’s Team:
Alice Hearst
Campaign Treasurer
ahearst01060@gmail.com
Jonathan Daube
Campaign Staff
daubejm@gmail.com
Kim Gerould
Campaign Manager
kimgerould@gmail.com