When you’re the oldest of eight children, working with children comes naturally.
Chandler Creedon Jr. estimates he’s been working since age 7 and he’s not likely to stop soon. Although retired for eight years from the Franklin public schools, Creedon has continued to work since then for various districts when needed.
A 32-plus-year school psychologist, Creedon recently was named the 2025 Honor Our Own Award winner. He will be honored at a luncheon on Oct. 7 at the Publick House Historic Inn and Lodge in Sturbridge.
He became interested in education and counseling while a student in college, and he’s been at it ever since.
“Education is the basis for everything,” Creedon said. In Franklin, where he worked with middle school students for most of his career, Creedon created a week-long summer program for incoming sixth graders called “Middle School Magic.” It was designed to ease the transition for students who might be struggling and introduced them to the routines and new environment.
No matter where he worked, he approached the job the same. Building relationships with students was always his first goal.
“What is it that they need and how do we develop the tools that they need to be successful?” he said.
Creedon served for eight years as the president of the Franklin Education Association, stepping into the leadership role when he saw an opportunity. He learned quickly on entering the public education profession that educators needed a collective voice.
A resident of Worcester, Creedon holds a sociology degree from St. Anselm College and a master’s degree and certificate of advanced graduate study from Anna Maria College. He was nominated for the Honor Our Own award by Emily Constantine, a speech pathologist with the Franklin public schools.
“Chandler is a person who leads by example,” Constantine wrote. “He was the kind of colleague you could always rely on to lend a hand or offer insightful advice. His commitment to doing whatever it takes to support his colleagues, students and the larger community made him an exceptional asset to our school community.”
Six years ago, when he worked in Clinton, a student asked him why he was wearing a pin of a rainbowcolored flag. Creedon explained that it was symbol of diversity, equity and inclusion and seventh grader promptly told him: “Kids aren’t going to understand that.”
She promised him she’d give him a present the next day. Her gift, a pin of a crayon box, was better at getting the idea across, she said. “Kids will understand that you don’t want all the same-colored crayons in your crayon box,” Creedon said, recalling the conversation. “I’ve worn it ever since.” ■
