By Tiffany Williams –
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) is spotlighting its Virtual Education Team for expanding digital learning opportunities for incarcerated individuals statewide.
Led by Head Teacher Dr. Sherri Travers, the team—comprised of Caren Harrington, Craig McCoskery, Michael Purdy, and Rehana Yusif—brings nearly a century of combined teaching experience. Together, they’ve developed more than 100 engaging, tablet-based modules covering topics such as math, history, art, and language, delivering over 86,000 minutes of instruction in 2024.
“We know that education is one of the key elements for successful reentry into communities. The DOC works tirelessly to improve and enhance our returning individuals’ chances for success,” said DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins. “Our DOC teachers are committed to expanding their opportunities for employment and self-improvement while also preparing them to successfully contribute to their communities upon release. Today, we honor that commitment to education and our communities.”
A standout program, Educational Journey: Transferable Skills, was designed using feedback from incarcerated learners to help them build skills relevant to successful reentry.
DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins praised the team’s role in preparing individuals for life after incarceration. “Our teachers are committed to education, self-improvement, and community reintegration.”
The DOC recently partnered with TeachRock, an initiative founded by musician Stevie Van Zandt, to bring culturally relevant material into facilities. One example: a Women’s History Collection used at MCI-Framingham, encouraging empowerment through the lens of female musical icons.
The Virtual Education Team continues to serve as a national model for how technology and teaching can support rehabilitation and public safety.