Last week it was announced that Boston Public School’s (BPS) Region 1 Superintendent and East Boston resident, Dr. Tommy Welch, is a finalist to serve as the next BPS Superintendent.
Welch, who has overseen schools in Eastie for several years now, has become a familiar face in the neighborhood at community and school events.
“Few words can describe my excitement after learning today that I am a finalist to serve as the next Superintendent of Boston Public Schools,” said Welch this week. “For more than two decades, I have enjoyed a challenging and rewarding career in urban public education. I am proud to serve as the BPS Region 1 School Superintendent, supporting 15 schools and more than seven thousand students in East Boston, Charlestown, and the North End.
Welch and his wife, Karla, are BPS parents that live in East Boston. Welch said he and his wife recognize the struggles their Eastie neighbors and Boston families have faced during the pandemic.
“As a leader in urban education for more than two decades and a BPS leader, my track record shows that I know how to deliver high-quality academics and enrichment opportunities,” said Welch. “As a biracial, bilingual educator, equity has always been at the center of my work. I enter this next step in the process with great humility, and look forward to sharing my experience and goals for the district with members of the public. If I am fortunate enough to be chosen, I am ready to lead on day one.”
Welch said he looks forward to sharing his experience and goals for the district with members of the search committee, the larger BPS community and residents of the City of Boston, during a series of public interviews.
“Experience matters as a Superintendent candidate,” he said. “So does their lived experience and passion, particularly to serve our most vulnerable students including English Language Learners and students with special needs. This is the work I am called to do, that is why I applied to lead BPS as its next Superintendent.”
As Region 1 Superintendent Welch has focused on inclusion, collaboration, and best practices in academics and social-emotional learning. Nine of the 15 schools in his Region have been recognized for the EdVestors citywide “School on the Move” Prize. Their exceptional work in improving student outcomes for English Learners and students from low-income backgrounds has also been recognized citywide.
Welch said his service in urban education spans over two decades. His experience includes 12 years as a teacher of multilingual learners, four years launching and leading schools, and system-level leadership roles in BPS as well as in the 600,000-student Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second largest school district.
Welch said he is committed to creating inclusive and nurturing schools where students, families, educators and staff thrive.
In 2020, he earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership at Boston College where he wrote his dissertation on school district leadership practices that foster equity.