We are deeply saddened to share the news that Dr. Janice Ellen Jackson, trustee of TERC, passed away on March 3, 2025. Janice was one of our longest-serving and most dedicated advocates, and her contributions to TERC and the broader educational community have been invaluable.
Janice’s commitment to educational equity was unwavering. She was an early and fearless voice for the importance of fairness and access in education, and her work throughout her career reflected this deep passion. Beginning her journey as an elementary school teacher, Janice went on to serve in leadership roles where she was a tireless champion of students, educators, and the principles of equity. As an education consultant, her mentorship and advocacy left a lasting mark on the field.
As a trustee, Janice's influence was profound. She was not only a committed board member but also a supportive force within our community. Her generosity, loyalty, and curiosity shaped the direction of TERC’s work, while her tenacity and willingness to stand firm for what she believed in pushed us all to do better.
Janice’s legacy is one of action and compassion—she led by example, and her contributions to TERC and the broader educational community will continue to inspire us. We are grateful for her years of service, her support, and the positive impact she had on so many lives.
Below are memories and tributes from TERC staff and trustees honoring Janice’s lasting impact.
Laurie Brennan, President
If you were fortunate enough to know Janice, you knew of her generosity, her loyalty, her compassion, her curiosity, her tenacity, and her commitment to justice and equity. Janice was never afraid to speak up for and fight for something that she truly believed in.
Janice and I have known each other and worked alongside one other for years. She was my staunchest supporter, always taking a moment to thank me for my dedication and contributions to TERC. It meant so much to have her support. I deeply loved and respected Janice. She was a special, kind, and thoughtful person— an early and fearless advocate for equity in education and a stalwart supporter and champion of TERC. Personally, I am deeply saddened by this news.
Janice's passing will leave a hole in many people's hearts. I will miss her dearly.
Jodi Asbell-Clarke, Research Scientist, Director of EdGE
I will always remember bumping into Janice in the airport following a board retreat. We had held a panel on inclusion at the retreat and I focused on neurodiversity. During the panel, she had a lot to say about that, not all kind. In fact, during the session she really lit into me, and I was pretty upset by it. When I saw her at the airport, however, she sat me down and told me that she loved our work and thought it was really important and this is WHY she was so critical. She really wanted me to hear her concerns so that she could help make our work better. I always appreciated that (and was very glad I bumped into her at the airport that afternoon!). She will be truly missed.
Nadine Bonda, Chair of Board of Trustees
As the Chair of the Board of Trustees of TERC, I found Janice to always be the voice for equity, the voice for justice, the voice for fairness, the voice for children, and the voice for a compassionate society. She was unwavering in her beliefs and helped us as a Board make decisions that spoke to each of those voices. She led by example.
When I first came on the Board, she sat down next to me and explained the workings of the Board and helped me to be a stronger member of the Board. She was always the person who listened carefully before she spoke. And when she did speak, people listened. She spoke from the heart. I personally will miss her greatly as a Board member and as a friend.
Georgia Hall, Board of Trustees
I was working for the Boston Private Industry Council's School-to-Work initiative during Janice's work as Deputy Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools. She was an incredible advocate for children and for education, and she worked tirelessly to improve opportunities for education and career readiness for Boston children and youth. As a colleague on the TERC Board I always appreciated her deep experience in teaching and learning and valued her knowledge of education and nonprofit leadership. She will be missed.
Jay Labov, Board of Trustees
I first met Janice online when I became a member of TERC’s Board of Trustees 3 years ago during the pandemic. In the short time I knew and worked with her, I realized that I had received the gifts of her wisdom, insights, thoughtfulness, and decisiveness through our multiple online meetings. My instincts were proven eve more correct when the Board finally had the opportunity to meet in person. I marveled how Janice would quietly take in all sides of a discussion and then offer avenues to addressing issues that were always so well-reasoned, reasonable and learner-centered. It also was clear that that wisdom was ingrained from her many years of working with educators and students in her multiple roles in the system.
TERC and the education community at large has lost a mighty leader, voice, and advocate for advancing teaching and learning for all students, no exceptions. I personally have lost a role model and colleague who I will always treasure. I have learned so much from knowing and interacting with her.
Audrey Martínez-Gudapakkam, Senior Researcher
Dr. Jackson was a person who helped me know when I was in the right place for my life. She was one of my favorite professors at BC as an undergraduate in the education school. She made me feel so encouraged when I was struggling as a student. Then when I was pursuing my master's degree, I ran into her again and she remembered me, which meant so much to me. Finally, when I was interviewing at TERC, I learned that she was on the board. Knowing this helped me decide that this was the right place for me to work.
Martin Storksdieck, Board of Trustees
I had the great pleasure and enormous honor to serve with Janice on TERC’s Board of Trustees for roughly a decade. She was a force to reckon with, a tireless fighter for a better world, an extremely knowledgeable and connected professional, and a sharp mind: whenever she spoke it was deep, relevant, meaningful, and advanced the issue or the conversation. But what was always so much more impressive and delightful was her way of being: an empathetic leader who was clear, level-headed, wise, and extremely thoughtful, while keeping an eye on getting things done. She was able to bridge conceptual thinking with practical application. I learned a lot from her! Like so many, I will miss her friendship, her wisdom, her leadership, and her mentorship. Janet, the world is a little poorer without you!
