A teacher, parent, coach, mentor, and school administrator, Mervan Osborne knows what it takes to help kids succeed. Mervan helped found Beacon Academy, an innovative school that helps low-income students meet the highest academic standards. He has the experience that Cambridge needs to ensure success for every child. Mervan was born in London, England and raised in New York City. After attending Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, he joined the first Teach for America corps as a teacher in Los Angeles in 1990. In 1994, Mervan moved to Cambridge to teach at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School. In his twelve years at BB&N, Mervan taught English and drama, coached multiple sports, and worked in the school's Admissions Office. Seven years ago, Mervan helped to found Beacon Academy, where he is now the Associate Head of School. Beacon is the only school of its kind in the country: an intense "bridge year" between eighth and ninth grades. In a single year, Beacon students make two or even three years of academic progress – they close the Achievement Gap. The vast majority of the school's alumni go on to thrive at highly-competitive secondary schools and colleges. Outside of school, Mervan serves as the Governor's Appointee to the Massachusetts Humanities Board. He recently joined the Board of Directors at Concord Academy. And for 17 years, he created and directed a summer film and drama camp for young people in Cambridge. In his personal time, Mervan loves producing and reviewing films, cooking for his wife Lucy and son Moses, and enjoying Cambridge's parks with his dog Sparky. He and Lucy look forward to sending Moses to Cambridge Public Schools.