Freemasonry and Public Education

Freemasonry

and Public Education

Bro. Dustin R. Rawlins

Asst. to the Grand Master for Educational Affairs

My name is Dustin Rawlins and I am a member of a lso at the local level by becoming more involved with William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge #7. At a number of the schools in the diverse communities present, I am employed as the Sr. Human Resources that house our lodge halls. Awards will now also be Technician, Staffing in the Human Resources Mandistributed to the District’s teaching staff, acknowlagement function of the Board of Governors of the edging and rewarding excellence in teaching in a Federal Reserve System. I am currently pursuing a principal-nominated program. Teachers will also be degree in Psychology from American University and provided the opportunity to take part in two training know first hand the importance of education. Origisessions, which will provide detailed instruction on nally from Delaware, I have lived and worked in the the “Foundation Documents” including: the DeclaraWashington D.C. area for the past six years. tion of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Recently, my wife, son, and I Rights. Each lodge will seek out relocated to Silver Springs, MD from the District’s Adams MorAs Masons in the volunteer opportunities to assist in improving the physical condigan neighborhood. As Assistant to the Grand Master, I will play an instrumental role in linking the Grand Lodge’s Adopt-A-School initiative with the District’s Public School system and guiding the project as it moves forward. My responsibility is primarily to assess the true needs of D.C. Public Schools and the ways our involvement can Nation’s Capital, we are in a unique position to exemplify leadership and philanthropy for the next generation of tions of several schools, which will provide us the opportunity to support the schools literally; not just financially. With the continual upkeep needed on area public school facilities, this work is not only much needed, it will promise to be rewarding for those involved. The entire school community can benefit from these physical efforts. impact their futures. Upcoming civic leaders. I will be working closely with the projects include: scholarships for Deputy Mayor for Education’s college-bound high school senoffice as Mayor Adrian M. Fenty iors; a rewards program honoring educators’ announces the District’s school improvement plan, excellence; and volunteer opportunities for improvewhich echoes the imperatives of the Grand Lodge. ments of the academic environment. Mayor Fenty is seeking willing public and private If education is the foundation to building today’s students into tomorrow’s responsible citizenry, then access to education is the cornerstone. The scholarship program is a city-wide opportunity for organizations to take the lead in mentoring, sponsoring, and assisting the District’s public school students. The Grand Lodge of D.C. has preemptively answered his call. college-bound public school students to receive As Masons in the nation’s capital, we are in a unique financial aid awards to advance their academic purposition to exemplify leadership and philanthropy for suits. Merit- and need-based scholarships will be the next generation of civic leaders. The importance awarded to over a dozen students in the current of supporting public education can not be over-valyear from this program alone. Furthering their eduued; each student requires the type of care and cation by providing relief is in accordance with our guidance that parallels our Masonic tenants. values as Masons. The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia is comThe Grand Lodge’s Adopt-A-School Program will mitted to engaging educators, Masons, and the assist the District’s public school students, not only entire Washington D.C. public school community in on a city-wide scale in the form of scholarships, but reform efforts to improve the academic experience