This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Lillian O’Flaherty has always been passionate about education, which has translated into her new position as the director of Winthrop House, a special education alternative. A Boston native, she attended high school and college in Massachusetts. She was an assistant principal at the English High School in Jamaica Plain, where she worked for 11 years. She also worked in Boston Public Schools for the past 13 years. Outside of her work, she enjoys reading, her family and a variety of blue-green colors.
What was your best moment in high school and why?
When I was a junior in high school, I took a class called “Facing History in Ourselves.” It’s an organization taught in schools to educate students about genocide and conflict worldwide, thinking about bias, racism, things like that. I had this amazing teacher, Judy Freeman, who really made a difference in my life. She taught in such a passionate way, and it inspired me to become a teacher eventually. It shaped my worldview at that age, and that had a huge impact on my desire to go into education and social justice work. I think it was about thinking about myself, my own identity and how my identity is impacted by my community.
What is your favorite book?
“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck. I felt that his writing was so beautiful and clear and the way he developed his characters inspired me to become an English major in college and to study literature and writing.
What is your favorite movie?
“Moonstruck.” I love that movie because it reminds me of my mom and my sister, and there’s nostalgia. Also, I think it’s just a great film, and I take something away every time I watch it.
Do you have a summer highlight or a goal you accomplished this summer?
I was transitioning between my previous role and this role over the summer. So I was doing a lot of learning, thinking, reflecting, planning and goal setting. That was fun to be a learner again. I also spent time with my family at the Cape. I have two little kids, so we went to the beach. It was nice to spend more time with them.
Who is someone you admired or who impacted you?
When I was a freshman, I read a biography called “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder. It was about a doctor from Boston named Paul Farmer who founded a non-profit organization called Partners in Health. Farmer’s mission was to cure infectious diseases and to bring modern medicine to people who didn’t have access to life-saving treatments in countries like Haiti and Peru. I was really inspired by Farmer and his message that even though some problems seem too big or complicated to solve, even one committed person has the power to make a huge impact.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?
I would love to go to Japan. Their culture is so fascinating. Or go back to Ireland; my dad grew up in Ireland. I’d love to go back and visit family.
