Samantha Aigner-Treworgy

Samantha Aigner-Treworgy is stepping down as the commissioner of Massachusetts’ Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). 

“As you know, the last two years have been incredibly demanding and required tireless efforts across every community in the Commonwealth,” Aigner-Trewogy, or Commissioner Sam, as some called her, said in an email to the field. “Every day, I have been impressed by the tenacity and the dedication of this incredible field—particularly as we have navigated so much change and uncertainty. This sector has given its all to serve children and families throughout this pandemic, the progress we’ve made together on behalf of the Commonwealth has been nothing short of remarkable.”

“I have spoken with the EEC Board, and we have agreed that the time is right for me to move on from my position and allow for a change in leadership at EEC,” Aigner-Trewogy added. “Of course, leaving is not easy, but after much reflection, I believe it is the right decision for me, my family, and for the next chapter in EEC’s work.”

WBUR reports that Aigner-Treworgy “has served as EEC commissioner since 2019, though state officials say she’ll be most known for her leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic, which spanned much of her two-and-a-half year tenure. Her last day is March 8.”

“In addition to leading the process of opening emergency child care during the early days of the pandemic, Aigner-Treworgy also helped to launch a statewide childcare COVID testing initiative and was part of the strategic planning process behind a childcare infrastructure grant program.”

State Education Secretary James Peyser said in a statement: “We are very supportive of the Commissioner’s bold strategic vision and are deeply grateful for her tireless leadership during the COVID-19 health crisis.” 

As EEC Commissioner, Aigner-Treworgy has been bold, innovative, and willing to make transformational changes for a field that has historically been overlooked and received too little public investment. The commissioner’s incredible and unprecedented outreach and engagement with the field – its directors, educators, family child care providers, school age staff, and families – has been critical over the last few years.

In March 2020, when the pandemic surged in the United States, the Commissioner’s problem-solving skills were immediately tested when she worked to develop policies that were models for the country. She set up emergency child care for essential workers, supported parent fees for subsidized families, and advocated for the distribution of personal protective equipment and for COVID testing for children and educators.

We need to continue to be bold and insist that the long-standing challenges that the field continues to overcome are addressed now. We must build on the incredible progress that Commissioner Sam has made and continue to reach out to leaders on the local, state, and federal level and ask them to make innovative changes and increase public investments in early education and care. 

We are grateful for the Commissioner’s leadership and commitment. As she says: 

“…serving as your Commissioner through these unprecedented challenges has been the honor of my career. I look forward to continuing to cheer on the work—after some much-needed rest!”