Donna Thayer is a 2024-2025 Teach Plus Massachusetts Policy Fellow and a 2nd grade teacher at Mason-Rice Elementary in Newton. She is a member of the school’s Culturally Responsive Instruction Leadership Team, the grade level representative for her school’s Leadership Team, and the faculty representative for the PTO and the school council. She has co-written curriculum and been a member of her school’s Student Mentoring Committee and Safety Team. Donna received the 2018 Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council Special Educator award. Donna came to teaching as a second career, beginning her teaching career in first grade. She is a Newton Teachers Association Union Representative for her school and district. She earned her BA in early childhood development and an early childhood teaching license from Lesley University, an MEd in literacy and language from Framingham State University and a graduate certificate in mental health in the classroom from William James College.
