Calm Before Me

  Series Three: Dever’s Heartbeat — Community & Family To some, the Paul A. Dever Elementary School may seem like just another city school. But to those who know it— To the students who grew up in its classrooms, To the educators who dedicated their lives to its halls, To the parents who entrusted it with their children, And to the community partners who stood by its side— Dever has always been so much more. At its core, Dever was built on two powerful values: Community and Family. These weren’t just mission statements. They were lived—every single day: • In morning greetings • On family nights • Through after-school programs • In classrooms where every child felt seen, heard, and valued Dever didn’t just serve a community. It was one. 🌍 A Model of Diversity and Inclusion Dever is one of the most diverse schools in Boston Public Schools—and proudly so. Here’s who makes up the Dever family: • 14 languages spoken • 65.6% Hispanic/Latino • 21.6% Black/African-Amer...

  Series Two: A School Under Receivership In 2014 , the Paul A. Dever Elementary School—once a beacon in the Columbia Point community—was labeled chronically underperforming by the state of Massachusetts. Overnight, it was placed under state receivership . For many families, educators, and longtime staff, the news hit like a gut punch. Despite vocal opposition from the Dever community, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education ( DESE ) moved forward with the takeover. What followed was not a rescue— It was a decade of disruption, instability, and a revolving door of leadership. All in the name of “improvement.” 🔄 A Decade of Disruption Receivership promised transformation. Instead, it delivered chaos. Beloved programs were cut. Many of the school’s Latino educators —who reflected the culture, language, and identities of the student body—were pushed out. Trust began to unravel. Honesty began to fade. Here’s how the timeline unfolded: 2014 : DESE assume...