About the Mather School:
"The Mather School is the oldest free public elementary school in North America. The school is located in historic Dorchester, Massachusetts and was named after Richard Mather, an English-born American Congregational minister who emigrated to Boston and settled in Dorchester in 1635.
The first building, established in 1639, was a one room schoolhouse, where all grades shared a single classroom and teacher. Students who lived too far away to walk to school would either ride a horse or take a horse drawn bus, called a kid-hack! The original schoolhouse served until 1694, when a contract was made to build a house twenty feet long and nineteen feet wide, with a ground floor, a chamber above, a flight of stairs, and a chimney. The successor of this first school is where today’s Mather School is located at Meeting House Hill. The old Mather School was located on the same site where the fire station is now." (Mather School Website)
The Mather School also offers the Vietnamese Dual Language strand that allows students to grow and develop Vietnamese language, literacy skills, and speaking.
​“Our mission is to educate and empower all children to reach their potential through academic and socially enriching experiences.” (Mather School website)
Meet the Mather School Staff
Tuyet Dinh
What do you teach at the Mather School?
"I teach 4th grade for the Vietnamese Dual Language Program"
What was your favorite book as a child?
"Charlotte's Web by E.B. White"
What do you like best about Mather?
"The shared sense of care and love that our teachers and school leaders have for our students and our students for their teachers."
Barbara Najjar-Owens
What do you teach at the Mather School?
"I am an Instructional Coach at the Mather, which means that I support adult learning in our community."
What was your favorite book as a child?
"I loved Ezra Jack Keets books like: Whistle for Willie, The Snowy Day, Peter's Chair, and A Letter to Amy."
What do you like best about Mather?
"Without hesitation, I love the people. I love the children, their caretakers, and my colleagues!"
Nilsa Reis
What do you teach at the Mather School?
"I’m the Assistant Principal, dedicated to supporting our students, staff, and families."
What was your favorite book as a child?
"Growing up, I loved reading my older siblings' textbooks – they opened my eyes to so many new ideas!"
What do you like best about Mather?
"The strong, close-knit community here is what I value most. It’s inspiring to be part of a place where everyone supports one another."
