ORANGE -- The Massachusetts Board of Education has unanimously voted to support the recommendation of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester, to name Dr. Reza Namin, Superintendent of the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District, as co-chair of the Massachusetts Mathematics and Science Advisory Council for a three-year term.

The vote took place at the October board meeting.

The council is one of 18 councils that were established by the Education Reform Act of 1993. The purpose of the councils is to advise the commissioner and the board of education on matters pertinent to the implementation of education reform in the Commonwealth. These councils were established to assess statewide trends and needs, make recommendations regarding regulations, program guidelines, and the dissemination of information; and provide other programmatic recommendations as they deem necessary to accomplish the goals established by the board.

The councils have the potential to increase public support and to make significant contributions to Massachusetts Board of Education goals: challenge all students to proficiency and beyond, close the achievement gap, and prevent the achievement gap from starting.

"I am much honored to be named as a co-chair and believe in taking a direct role in understanding and impacting policies which will result in a better future for Mahar," Dr. Namin said.

Dr. Namin recently completed two three year terms in the State Science, Technology and Engineering Advisory Council and took part in the revision of the new Science, Technology and Engineering Framework. He has been recognized as one of the top Iranian American Scholar and Athlete by the Iranian Journal Parstimes and the Iranian.com.

He has also been recognized by the Northborough board of selectmen, on behalf of the citizens of Northborough for six years of dedicated service as the chairman of the Northborough Youth Commission.

Dr. Namin has recently completed his Post-Doctoral Studies in Leadership for Understanding at Harvard Graduate School of Education and has a PhD in Math and Science education with focus on curriculum and technology; Certificate of Advanced Studies in 3D Geometric Modeling from Brown University; and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Leadership and Educational Administration as well as a MEd and BS in Chemistry and Mathematics from Worcester State College.

Dr. Namin has also been elected to serve in the Worcester State College Alumni Advisory Board and is the only alumni with the distinction of both Induction to Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame and the recipient of the Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Education Alumni Award.

He has the Massachusetts Certification as a Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendent (K-12); Principal/Assistant Principal; Supervisor, Director (K-12); Teacher of Chemistry (5- 9th Grades) and Teacher of Chemistry (9-12th Grades).

Dr. Namin has been nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics, Science and Technology, and the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. A former Professional Soccer Player who played for Boston and was drafted by MSL. He was named the New England Coach of the Year in NCAA Division I, while coaching at Holy Cross College in 1991.

Dr. Reza Namin

Superintendent of Regional School District
P. O. Box 680,

507 South Main Street,
Orange, MA  01364
Superintendent's Office (978) 544-2920
E-Mail: Dr_Namin@rcmahar.org