Dana Royster-Buefort, M.Ed
Dana Royster-Buefort, M.Ed., is an accomplished educator, author, and speaker whose lifelong calling to teach began in childhood—lining up teddy bears and conducting lessons for her brother and cousin. She believes great teachers are born, not made, and education has always been her singular professional purpose. Dana dedicated 38 years to the Boston Public Schools, where she served in a range of roles spanning early childhood, special education, and student support services. Her leadership focused on inclusion, family partnership, and equitable access to resources that allow every child to thrive. Even in retirement from the district, she continues to shape the next generation of educators as a supervisor at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education, mentoring aspiring teachers across multiple schools, while also volunteering weekly through the Boston Teachers Union’s homework help program.
As the founder of Unspeakable Joy Press, Dana has brought her educator’s heart into the world of children’s literature. Her book, Happy Music: A New Orleans Jazz Story, is inspired by her family’s legacy in New Orleans. The story honors her grandfather, founder of Club Desire on Desire Street in the 1940s—one of the first upscale music venues in the city where people of color were welcome. The club played a meaningful role in the cultural life of the community, and jazz legend Fats Domino, a close family friend, began performing there early in his career. Though Dana never met her grandfather, she carries forward his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community through her writing. In addition to the storybook, she developed a companion curriculum and activity guide designed to support literacy, cultural education, and social-emotional learning in schools.
Dana’s mission is clear: to place meaningful books into the hands of children and expand access to culturally rich, literacy-centered programming. She actively markets her work at jazz festivals, music events, libraries, and classrooms, building partnerships with schools and corporate organizations committed to educational investment and book donations. Four times a year, she leads international educator travel experiences that encourage cultural exploration and renewal, most recently returning from Bali. She also writes a monthly column for the Boston Teachers Union newspaper, emphasizing how rejuvenated, balanced educators positively impact student success. Whether through teaching, writing, speaking, or mentoring, Dana remains deeply committed to nurturing joyful, culturally grounded learning experiences for children and the educators who serve them.
• Certificate of Advanced Graduate Student (C.A.G.S.) Supervisor/Director, C.A.G.S. - School Administration
• Middle School (5-9)
• Elementary (1-6)
• School Guidance Counselor
• Young Children with Special Needs (Birth - 3)
• Certified Pre-K CLASS Observer
• Special Education
• Cambridge College - MA
• Lesley University - BSEd
• Boston Teachers Union
• Boston Teachers Union Women's Council
• Boston Public Library
• Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)
• Boston Public Schools
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the fire that eternally burns within me, passed down from my mother Audrey Royster, who was a glass ceiling breaker even though she didn't get her glory. She is absolutely my first mentor, and unfortunately she's not here to see the fruits of her labor, but I know she's in heaven above watching. My entrepreneurial spirit also comes from my grandfather, who I never met, but his spirit lives within me - he started the first upscale music venue in New Orleans in the 1940s that people of color were allowed to attend, Club Desire, where Fat Domino got his start. He passed his entrepreneurial drive on to my mother, who was then able to pass it on to me. I also have an amazing husband, Daryl Buefort, who supports me unbelievably - in my book dedication, I thank him for his support for all of my wacky ideas. He just supports me in everything I do, including my international travel and all the different hats I wear. And I have a fantastic circle of sister friends who are there for that phone call when I'm stressed out, who will say I need a glass of wine and let's go out, or who will accompany me on a trip to Bali. It takes a village, and I have my tribe.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do it, do it, do it, do it. I am well aware that the society that we live in does not push women in the way that we should be pushed. I am a member of the Boston Teachers Union's Women's Council, and an award that we give out every year is the Glass Ceiling Award for women in our community who are moving and shaking and breaking that glass ceiling and doing things that they have wind beneath their wings. We celebrate the fact that they are willing to fly and do. I cannot fill volumes of paper, reams and reams of paper, if I were to even just keep a log of the people who would say things like, well, why are you doing that? Or, you know, oh, you wrote a book? What'd you do that for? Or, you know, I do a lot of international travel and people say, why are you going here, or why are you going there? My mother was someone who didn't get her glory, but she was definitely a glass ceiling breaker, and she is the fire that eternally burns within me. So my advice is just do it - don't let anyone stop you or question you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenge: limited school funding for literacy materials. Opportunity: forging relationships with corporate and community organizations that prioritize literacy and will fund bulk book donations and curriculum placement.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Commitment to children and literacy; mentorship; community and family legacy; celebrating and supporting women who break barriers.