Dr. Matilde Castiel, Director of Health and Human Services, Worcester

Matilde Castiel, MD did her undergraduate studies at the University of California in San Francisco, and later earned a medical degree from that same institution. She now lives in Holden, MA with her husband Aaron Mendel, and their two sons. Currently, she teaches medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and runs the Héctor Reyes House, a home for Latino men in Worcester who are recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.

Professor Thomas Del Prete, Chair of the Department of Education and Director of the Adam Institute at Clark University

Professor Del Prete has been Director of the Adam Institute for Urban Teaching and School Practice since 2012.  Previously, he was Director of the Hiatt Center for Urban Education (1998-2012) and Chair of the Education Department (1996-2012).  A graduate of Brown University, and a former secondary teacher in History and English, he earned his doctorate from Harvard University, concentrating on teaching, learning, and curriculum. Professor Del Prete’s interests include university-school partnerships, models of urban teacher education, secondary school reform, history curriculum and learning, and spirituality and education.  He has been recognized for his scholarship on Thomas Merton and education.  His book Thomas Merton and the Education of the Whole Person earned the first scholarship award given by the International Thomas Merton Society in 1991.  He has published about twenty articles and reviews in Merton studies.  He was elected President of the International Thomas Merton Society for a two year term in 1997. His most recent books focus on urban school cultures and practice and professional learning through the rounds model.

Ms. Gloria Hall, Historic Preservation Researcher and Interpreter

With a BS in Sociology and MA in Historic Preservation, Gloria is dedicated to the presentation of exemplary experiences that connect people to places and history through all forms of cultural arts. In her treatise, Uncomfortable Truth and Hushed Silence, she advocates that interpreters in the field of historic preservation present for the context of now.

Kent Flowers, Founder, Technocopia; President, Neuron Robotics

Kent is president of Neuron Robotics and currently serves as shop head and a founder of WorcShop, a maker space in our city. Kent is also a founder of the Worcester Free Store on Stafford Street.

Lulu Moyo, Spoken Word Performer

Lulu is a student at Clark University and is slam and spoken word artist. Born in Zimbabwe, Lulu spent many years in South Africa and now resides in Maine.

José Castillo, Musician 

José teaches music and Quinsigamond Community College and is the recipient of a Worcester Arts Council Fellowship