Assabet Valley

Mr. 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:

EHoule1@assabet.org | 508-263-9602

Ms. Fields has dedicated her career to public service, working at the federal, state, and local levels. Most recently, she served as the Director of Finance and Operations in a local district for four years. She earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She and her family reside in Chelmsford.   Contact: SFields@assabet.org | 508-263-9604

 

Mr. 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. 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

Ms. 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.

 

 

Mr. 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. 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

Dr. Dixie Diamond joined Assabet as the Director of Special Education in August 2025. Before her current role, she served as the Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Services of Avon Public Schools and had previous experience as a team chairperson at Greater Lawrence Technical School. During her educational career, Dr. Diamond has had a variety of different roles within education. She has worked for the Massachusetts Department of Education as a PRS evaluator and in educator preparation. She began her teaching experiences on the Navajo and Gilar River Reservations as a general education, special education, and Special Education Administrator. Prior to coming to Massachusetts, Dr. Diamond worked for Brevard Public Schools in Florida and experienced a variety of different models, including separate, inclusion, co-teacher, dually certified teacher, and Team Chair. Dr. Diamond pursued her undergraduate degree at Salem State College and obtained her Master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education (Gifted) with a concentration in Specific Learning Disabilities and a focus on minority and English language Learners from the University of Arizona. She earned her doctorate degree in Organizational Development from Grand Canyon University. As a first-generation American, Dr. Diamond was raised with the belief that education opens up opportunities to reach one's personal, professional, and future goals. She also values the vocational experience in teaching students practical skills that can be used in their future endeavors.   Contact: DDiamond@assabet.org | 508-485-9430

 

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

 

Mrs.Carrier began her teaching career in 2007 at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, where she taught Business Technology and served as Grants Coordinator while supporting cooperative education placements. She later continued her work in career and technical education at Tantasqua Regional Technical High School, where she taught Business Technology and took on several leadership roles, including serving as SkillsUSA advisor, OSHA trainer, and managing both the annual craft fair and the cooperative placement program. In addition to her work in the classroom, Mrs. Carrier has held various administrative positions, including serving as Director of Finance in the Blackstone-Millville and Leicester Public School districts. She holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Worcester State University. Mrs. Carrier and her family reside in Oxford, MA.     Contact: DCarrier@assabet.org |508-485-9430

 

Mrs. Gauthier began her career in vocational education in 2012. For the past 13 years, she has been a cosmetology teacher at Southeastern Regional Technical Vocational High School. In addition to her teaching, she has taken on various roles, including Lead Mentor, NEASC Accreditation Coordinator, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Connecting Activities Liaison. Mrs. Gauthier holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Stonehill College and a Master of Education in Occupational Education from Fitchburg State University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She resides in Easton with her husband, two children, and her Boston Terrier, Sunny Lulu.   Contact:  cjardin-gauthier@assabet.org | 508-263-9691

 

Dr. Daniel M. Downs is an experienced educator, instructional designer, and digital learning specialist with a deep passion for integrating technology into education. With a background in K-12 and higher education, he has led initiatives in AI-driven learning, cybersecurity education, and digital transformation. Dr. Downs has developed comprehensive technology and career readiness programs, supporting students and educators in leveraging digital tools for skill development and workforce preparation.    With over 20 years of experience in K-12 and higher education, Daniel served as Director of Digital Learning for North Reading Public Schools for 10 years and held technology-integration roles in Andover, Winchester, and Haverhill Public Schools.  For the past 13 years, he has been an adjunct educator at Bunker Hill Community College, teaching Computer Information Technology and Workforce Development. Dr. Downs is dedicated to equipping Assabet students with essential digital skills   Contact: DDowns@assabet.org | 508-485-9430