Braintree: Gov. Patrick visit a pat on the back for teachers and students

Governor Patrick with members of the student council at East Middle School, Tuesday, October 25, 2011. (Photo: Matt Bennett/Governor's Office)

A visit by Governor Deval Patrick to a Braintree middle school is termed as a pat on the back for education leaders, teachers and students.

State Education Secretary Paul Reville spoke with WATD Tuesday afternoon, hours after Patrick met with teachers and students at the East Middle School.

“We are first in the nation because of these extraordinary educators who have been working with our students and the amazing efforts the students have put in,” said Reville. “This is a commendation school, and he has tried to get out there and compliment them and learn more about what they have done to close proficiency gaps.”

Reville says this was not the first trip to a school for Patrick, and it seems it surely wont be the last.

“The governor tries to get into one or two schools a week,” said Reville.

Braintree’s East Middle School, which teaches to students 6th through 8th grade, is one of 137 commendation schools statewide, recognized for their efforts and results.

“This school has done extraordinarily well in closing the achievement gaps, and if you look at their 8th grade performance for example, the governor was commmenting on, in math and english language and science they are doing very well,” said Reville. ”We try and get out their and pat them on the back, and learn as much as we can about what constitutes success there.”