‘Wait, was that my name?’
Cambridge school librarian stunned by national award
Thunderous applause echoed across Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School’s gymnasium as one of their own was surprised with a $25,000 national award yesterday for her efforts in engaging students and boosting literacy skills.
Jennifer Gordon, a librarian at the Cambridge school, was named as a recipient of the Milken Educator Award. No one at the school knew who had won the award until the envelope with Gordon’s name was opened. Officials with the Milken Family Foundation said Gordon’s influence in her students’ and colleagues’ lives is what made her stand out.
“She impacts the whole school with her role as a librarian,” said Bonnie Somers, the foundation’s senior vice president. “Libraries have become so multidimensional but at its core is learning to love reading and that is the one thing she works to do everyday, and that impacts future opportunities for the students as well as teaches them how to live life to the fullest.”
Tears of joy and disbelief covered Gordon’s face when Shelley Bretous, executive director of Benjamin Banneker, announced her name.
“I was just completely in shock, it feels so surreal,” Gordon said. “It isn’t something I ever expected to happen. I was like ‘wait, was that my name?’ because I expected one of my coworkers instead because I work with so many amazing people.”
Gordon has been credited with increasing enthusiasm and test targets, helping push test scores above state averages. She works with teachers to align curriculum with books that challenge and increase reading skills.
"Our students love to read, and because of that they score exceptionally high on the ELA MCAS," said Bretous. "Jennifer Gordon makes reading come to life for our students. They all want to read with as much passion and fun as she does."
To help engage her students, Gordon has the students fill out cards with their goals for the future and then recommends books that she hopes will peak their interest and keep them reading. She also encourages her students to write to authors to help bolster their reading.
She is the only recipient from Massachusetts and one of 40 honored from across the country.