In June of this year, the Boston Latin School community experienced the loss of former Assistant Head of School Cynthia Webb. A valued and beloved faculty member of BLS, Ms. Webb unexpectedly passed away at the age of 66 as an accomplished woman who inspired the minds of her students and colleagues alike.
Ms. Webb’s work as a Boston Public Schools educator spanned over 45 years, with the last 11 being at BLS. Most students know her for her role in managing attendance and surveying schoolwide transportation. One would find her first thing in the morning and last thing in the afternoon, attending to any problem regarding student movement.
Aside from directly assisting students, her more behind-the-scenes work included her role as the Program Director for the physical education and library departments. Specifically, the Wellness Committee in the Harry V. Keefe Library was a project that she advocated for and supervised, working with multiple other colleagues to raise awareness and representation for a variety of matters, including mental health, racial diversity, gender identity and sexual orientation.
As a result, the library features a section of books highlighting such subjects, and Game Day, a time where students have an opportunity to connect with each other as a part of their otherwise hectic schedules.
She was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors. BLS Program Director for History and Global Understanding Mr. Thomas Kennelly, who had known her for nearly two decades, notes, “She was a strong advocate for educators and supporting all members of the administrative team in that capacity, which is something that I think students and faculty might not be aware of.”
For those who were familiar with Ms. Webb, whether it was through interning for her schoolwide projects or arriving late in the morning, the presence she brought to every one of her roles was a major aspect of her character. Even when disciplining tardy students, she held on to a balance between being strict and being understanding of young people and their mistakes, allowing them to learn and grow.
BLS English teacher Ms. Lynn Burke comments, “She was the type of person who always had time for you no matter what sort of chaos was going on, and it was very authentic and motivated by kindness.”
Ms. Webb’s various roles in and out of BLS serve as a testament to her passion and unwavering commitment to education. When discussing her legacy, Ms. Rose Delorme-Metayer, the Director of the McCarthy Institute and a close friend of Ms. Webb, states, “It’s a legacy of loyalty and commitment. She came in here day in and day out regardless of what she had outside of this building, and so I want people to know how much she did all that, without the expectation of a thank you.”
Even though she is no longer physically with the BLS community, Ms. Webb’s work in supporting everyone around her continues to live on, and she will always be remembered for her dedication and passion.