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.
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 representing foundational themes like literature, science, civic education, and personal growth—formed the sculptural base. Rising from their center is a polished granite 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.
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.
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: