The Mason-Rice School Council is an all-volunteer group of parents, faculty and community members who serve as an advisory group to our Principal.  The Parent Members include:

2012 Members include Michael A. Feldman, Joan Wasser-Gish and Laura Tavares.

Michael A. Feldman (Term 2012 - 2015)
I would love to be a part of this and help in any way I can because I continue to be so impressed with the way your school is run. I spoke to Mr. Springer at length at the picnic last week and I would be honored to be on the council.  I will utilize my experience as a CEO, a father, a Newton Resident and someone who works with clients in Newton for this position. I will listen to issues, give advice when asked and will try to help with any ideas that may be needed.

Joan-Wasser-Gish (Term 2012 - 2015)
I am the parent of a first grader and preschooler, and am at the start of a long-term commitment to the success of Mason Rice and of each child who walks through its doors.  It is a natural extension of my life-long dedication to work toward quality education for all children.

As a member of the School Council, I will leverage my professional engagement in federal and state education policy making, bringing an understanding of the complex policy pressures and opportunities Mason Rice and the Newton Public Schools must navigate.  I presently serve on one of Massachusetts’ three Boards of Education, and previously worked in the United States Senate on education and other social domestic policy matters. 

If honored to serve, I will bring my expertise, collaborative spirit, and commitment to ensuring educational excellence for all children to the Mason Rice School Council.  Most importantly, I will listen to the priorities and concerns of parents and work to create conditions that support excellent teaching, individualized learning, and the leadership of Mark Springer.

Laura Tavares (Term 2012 - 2015)
I am a mother to a Kindergartner. I have a deep respect for teachers, a belief in the transformative power of education, and an awareness of the interdependence of schools and the communities they serve.  As a member of the School Council, I would be eager to listen to the experiences, ideas and concerns of parents and other stakeholders.  I hope that my expertise, commitment and enthusiasm would be a positive addition to the School Council. As a parent, a community member, and an educator, I an interested in serving on the Mason-Rice School Council. My child began kindergarten this fall, and I have a younger child who will attend Mason-Rice as well. I love seeing the eager, joyful faces of the children as they arrive at school each morning, and I’m grateful for the warmth and professionalism of the teachers and staff who greet them.  Our family feels so fortunate to be part of this outstanding school community, and I would like to support its continued success.

My professional life has been devoted to the field of education.  After teaching middle and high school for several years, I joined the program staff of the international non-profit Facing History and Ourselves. Through my work there, I have had the opportunity to advise teachers and school leaders on key educational issues, including meeting the needs of diverse learners; supporting faculty through professional learning communities; fostering social-emotional learning; and educating with a global perspective. I have a particular interest in developing inclusive school cultures that nurture compassionate, ethical and engaged young people.  As I’ve consulted in a broad range of schools (public, parochial and independent, urban and suburban, in the United States and abroad), I’ve become familiar with both the challenges and opportunities of today’s educational landscape. I would like to help Mason-Rice navigate these challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.

Jane Mansour (Term 2011 - 2013)
I am the mother of a kindergartner, and have two younger children (3  and 10 months). I have a long-standing interest and belief in the importance of education and child development inherited from my parents –both teachers in the UK. We moved to Newton from the UK a year ago.

My professional background is in public policy and social research. I was Director of the Ingeus Centre for Policy and Research for six years before moving to the US. My specialist areas include the impact of targets on delivering quality public services; effective procurement practices to ensure maximum benefit from private sector delivery of public services; welfare to work programmes; childcare and work; adult learning, and career development.  I am able to successfully analyse, interpret and challenge both qualitative and quantitative research data, and have experience of both designing and managing original research projects.

I am experienced in delivering operational objectives, from writing bids, to implementing national programmes to delivering excellence. I managed the most successful Employment Zone (a national welfare to work programme) in the UK between 2000 and 2002, and was responsible for introducing a careers element to improve the sustainability of the employment outcomes. I understand the constraints that exist when delivering quality programmes within an externally defined target structure, which may or may not complement those outcomes.

I would love the opportunity to bring my expertise, experience and enthusiasm to the Mason-Rice School  Council. I am really excited about the chance to work alongside the principal, teachers, parents and community members in this forum.

 Kathy Sillman (Term 2011 - 2014)
As the parent of three children who are (and will be) attending the Mason-Rice, I have a personal interest in the school's long-term  success.  Our children,  in grade 3 and grade 1, enter school each day willingly and gladly.  And our three-year-old, can’t wait until he gets to join them at the “Mason-Wice.” As much as I enjoy seeing the school through my children’s perspectives, I understand that being on the school council calls for us to view the school through a wider lens.  As a parent representative, I will actively seek out and consider diverse points of view.  Overall, I see the school council as an advocate for the emotional well being and academic success of each child, every day.

Supplementing my personal connection to the Mason-Rice, I bring professional experience in educational settings.  I have taught public elementary school in New York City’s District 2, worked in curriculum development and teacher education in Massachusetts, and conduct educational research with an international team.  Currently, I teach graduate courses in education and work in a master’s program of teaching at a local university.

I believe the coupling of my personal and professional interests in education will position me as an effective member of the school council who can productively serve the community.