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Assabet Valley

Regional Technical/Vocational School District
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Administration

mr. ernest houle- superintendent- director

mr. ernest houle- superintendent- director

Staff HeadshotMr. Houle was appointed Superintendent-Director of the Assabet Regional Vocational School District in December 2014 and has worked in career and technical education since 1996. He earned a bachelor's degree in Occupational/Vocational Education and a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Management through Fitchburg State University. Prior to his career at Assabet, Mr. Houle worked as a Metal Fabrication and Welding Technology teacher, Director of Community Education, and Principal at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District in Lexington, Massachusetts. He and his family reside in Leominster.
 
Contact:
EHoule@assabet.org | 508-263-9602
ms. maria silva- director of business operations

ms. maria silva- director of business operations

Staff headshotMy career started at Greater Lawrence Technical School in 2001 working in the payroll department.  In 2006 I then became the Executive Assistant to the Principal.  In 2011, I transitioned back into the Business Office as the Assistant Business Manager until 2014 when I became the School Business Administrator.  I earned my Bachelor's degree in Business Finance in 2003 and my MBA with a Master's Certificate in Forensic Accounting in 2013 all from Southern New Hampshire University.  In 2018, I completed my Masters degree in Middle and Secondary Education from American International College. I reside in Andover, MA with my family.
 
Contact:
MSilva@assabet.org | 508-263-9604
Mr. Patrick o'Rourke- principal

Mr. Patrick o'Rourke- principal

Staff HeadshotMr. O’Rourke has served in the district and worked in public education since 2007. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Worcester State College and a master’s degree at Cambridge College. Prior to his career at Assabet, Mr. O’Rourke worked for the Department of Youth Services as a caseworker in the Worcester area. He and his family reside in Millbury.
 
Contact:
POrourke@assabet.org | 508-263-9610
mr. gerald gahagan- assistant principal/ dean of students grades 9 & 11

mr. gerald gahagan- assistant principal/ dean of students grades 9 & 11

Staff HeadshotMr. Gahagan has served in the district since 2007 and has worked in public education since 1997. He earned a bachelor's degree at Salem State College and a master's degree at Worcester State College. Prior to his career at Assabet, Mr.Gahagan worked as a business teacher and in various administrative positions for the Worcester Public School system. He and his family reside in Worcester.
 
 
Contact:
JGahagan@assabet.org | 508-263-9612
mrs. maki faria- assistant principal/ dean of students grades 10 & 12

mrs. maki faria- assistant principal/ dean of students grades 10 & 12

Staff photoMs. Faria began her career in education by interning as a Match Specialist for the Big Brother Big Sister organization while completing her Bachelor's Degree at Framingham State University and serving as Captain of the Ram's Softball Team. Her commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment led her to obtain her Master's in Education and C.A.G.S. in School Counseling from UMass Amherst. She volunteered in Honduras for a year as the Director of a bilingual middle school prior to serving as the Career Counselor within the District's School Counseling Department for the past 11 years. Ms. Faria's journey in education has been guided by her strong connection with her family: a second-generation daughter to her Venezuelan parents, oldest sister of four siblings, loving wife, and devoted mother of two daughters. Her approachable demeanor and strong communication skills in both English and Spanish ensure that she is readily accessible to students and parents, fostering strong relationships built on trust and respect.
 
Contact:
MFaria@assabet.org | 508-485-9430
 
mr. robert mccann, iii- director of academic programs and title i

mr. robert mccann, iii- director of academic programs and title i

Staff headshotMr. McCann has served in the district since 2000 and has worked in public education since 1998. Prior to coming to Assabet, Mr. McCann worked in the Worcester Public Schools. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Worcester State University. Mr. McCann previously worked as the Director of Curriculum at Assabet and taught for years in the Social Studies Department. Mr. McCann also teaches curriculum design to CTE teachers at Fitchburg State University as an adjunct professor. He and his family reside in Worcester.
 
Contact:
RMccann@assabet.org | 508-263-9605
mrs. alyssia berghaus- director of pupil personnel services

mrs. alyssia berghaus- director of pupil personnel services

Staff headshotMrs. Berghaus has served in the district and worked in public education since 2002. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Syracuse University. Prior to her career at Assabet, Ms. Berghaus worked in the Office of Residence Life at Syracuse University. She and her family reside in Maynard.
 
Contact: 
ABerghaus@assabet.org | 508-263-9626
mS. Melissa Andrade- director of Career & Technical Education 

mS. Melissa Andrade- director of Career & Technical Education 

Mrs. Andrade's journey in vocational education began as a student at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, where she graduated in 2007. Since 2015, she has dedicated herself to career and technical education, initially teaching adult education at Southeastern Technical Institute. She holds a master's degree in Occupational Education from Fitchburg State University and is currently completing a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Educational Leadership and Management.

Before joining Assabet, Mrs. Andrade was the Lead Cosmetology Teacher at Cape Cod Tech, where she also led the Hospitality, Health, and Human Services Academy. In this role, she promoted growth and community engagement among students, vocational teachers, academic teachers, and support staff. Her passion for vocational education extends beyond the classroom—she has been a volleyball coach, class advisor, SkillsUSA advisor, Sunshine Committee member, union officer, and Technical Teacher Instructional Coach. Mrs. Andrade has also contributed to the Cosmetology Frameworks revision team, served on several NEASC visiting teams, and facilitated professional development for teachers at all stages of their careers.
 
Mrs. Andrade lives in Plymouth with her husband and their English Bulldog, Larry Bird.
 
Contact:
MAndrade@assabet.org |508-263-9608
 
Ms. Kara Westerman- Director of Special Education 

Ms. Kara Westerman- Director of Special Education 

Ms. Westerman has been in public education since 2004. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Worcester State University and her Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership and Speech-Language Pathology. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree at Capella University. Prior to her career at  Assabet, Ms. Westerman worked in Worcester Public Schools as a speech-language pathologist and evaluation team chairperson, in Spencer East-Brookfield Regional School District as Special Education Director, and in Boston Public Schools as a Special Education Director. Ms. Westerman also has taught graduate courses in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at Worcester State University as an adjunct professor. She and her family reside in Auburn, MA.
 
Contact:
KWesterman@assabet.org | 508-485-9430
 
Mrs. Katelyn Boudreau- Director of educational Technology and digital literacy

Mrs. Katelyn Boudreau- Director of educational Technology and digital literacy

Staff Headshot
Mrs. Boudreau has been in public education since 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Framingham State University and a Master’s Degree in Education from American International College. Prior to her career at  Assabet, Mrs. Boudreau worked in Sudbury Public Schools as a classroom teacher and in Hudson Public Schools as a Technology Integration Specialist. She and her family reside in Clinton, MA.
 

Contact:
KBoudreau@assabet.org | 508-485-9430