Educators’ Monument

A monument in service of legacy and learning—grounded, reflective, and built to stand the test of time.

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Client: Quincy High School / City of Quincy

Materials: Granite & Stainless Steel

Location: Quincy, MA

Year: 2016

Scale: 25 x 25 x 10 feet

Project Type: Public Monument / Civic Sculpture

Collaborators:

Concept design by Jerome Reicher.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Sculptural granite books representing education, growth, and community values

  • Elevated stainless steel apple as beacon of individual excellence

  • Seamless integration with a sloped, highly visible school site

  • Inclusive tribute balancing personal recognition with profession-wide honor

  • Durable, low-maintenance materials chosen for visibility and longevity

THE STORY

The Educators’ Monument was conceived to honor the legacy of Quincy’s public school teachers, with special tribute to a beloved high school educator whose influence rippled through generations.

The challenge? Create a public work that celebrates a single individual without diminishing the contributions of all educators.Our task was to compile input from the School Committee, Mayor’s Office and individual educators and create a design that satisfied all stakeholders.

There was also a technical layer: the site, positioned near Quincy High School, had a pronounced slope—demanding a thoughtful design that would integrate naturally with the landscape.

The solution was both symbolic and inclusive. A series of carved granite books—each representing foundational themes like literature, science, civic education, and personal growth—formed the sculptural base. Rising from their center is a polished stainless steel apple: a reimagined symbol of education, elevated both physically and metaphorically to reflect the role of teachers as guiding beacons. Visible from across campus and surrounding roadways, it anchors the monument as a focal point in the civic landscape.

Material selection was intentional. Granite—grounded, enduring—represents strength and tradition. Stainless steel—brilliance, contrast, and reflection—adds contrast and clarity. Together, they create a visual language that is dignified, contemporary, and approachable, much like the ideal teacher. The metaphor continues as the forms invite contemplation and interaction, while still commanding a sense of permanence.

The sloped site was carefully negotiated through custom grading and structural foundation work, allowing the monument to sit naturally and confidently in its environment.

A granite plaque, inset at the base, honors the named educator—framing their story within the broader narrative of the teaching profession. The inscription, developed in partnership with city and school leadership, highlights values of public service, personal growth, and civic contribution.

Today, the monument stands as a daily landmark on the Quincy High School campus. It’s a space of pride and reflection for students, teachers, and families alike—and a lasting symbol of Quincy’s ongoing commitment to the power of public education.

ARTISTIC, CONSTRUCTION & TECHNICAL FEATS

  • The installation site featured a pronounced slope near the main entrance of Quincy High School. Strategic grading and foundation work were required to ensure that the monument sat naturally within the topography—without disrupting foot traffic or sightlines.

  • Each granite element, from the book sculptures to the stainless steel apple, was structurally anchored to support long-term public interaction. The engineering ensured not only safety but also minimized long-term maintenance in a high-visibility, high-traffic area.

  • The polished apple—a central sculptural element—was custom fabricated and engineered to resist corrosion, weathering, and discoloration over time. The connection point to the granite base required hidden internal anchoring to preserve the visual minimalism while ensuring durability.

  • Integrating stainless steel with granite demanded thermal expansion planning and material interface expertise to prevent cracking, movement, or failure over time—a subtle but essential technical detail that ensured longevity.

  • Each “book” was individually carved to subtly represent academic disciplines while maintaining cohesive form. These elements required precise dimensioning and placement to achieve both symbolic clarity and structural alignment across the composition.

FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION

Challenge

How to meaningfully honor a single educator without overshadowing the broader teaching profession—while navigating the design and engineering complexity of a sloped site.

Solution

A sculptural composition of carved granite books supporting a polished stainless steel apple—symbolizing collective knowledge and individual excellence. A dedicated granite plaque contextualizes the honoree’s legacy as part of a larger educational story.

Outcome

A powerful, visible, and enduring public tribute that celebrates both beloved individual’s achievement and the teaching profession as a whole. The monument has become a civic landmark, reinforcing Quincy’s commitment to public education and community memory.

I have known Mr. Ackerman for many years both personally and professionally, and I can attest to the quality of his craftsmanship; his passion for his work; and his ability to lead from start to finish community-driven projects.

Mr. Ackerman and the Monti family are well-known and greatly respected throughout Greater Boston and across the country for their stone-cutting and sculpting talents. Most recently, Mr. Ackerman designed and sculpted our new Educators Monument on the green of Quincy High School. This lasting tribute to our community's teachers was coordinated flawlessly, completed in a timely fashion, and the finished product is something that makes us all tremendously proud.

— Mayor Thomas P. Koch, City of Quincy, Massachusetts: