Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators Recognizes Retirees for Distinguished Service
By Thomas September 7, 2023
The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators recognized retiring educators for their commitment and dedication to career education. From left, Executive Director Steven C. Sharek; Mark Dufresne, Director of Special Education, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School; Kathleen Holman, Human Resources Director, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School; Clifford Cloutier, Principal, Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School; and Dr. Heidi Riccio, MAVA Board President & Superintendent, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School.
The Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators has recognized eight retiring educators for distinguished service to their districts and vocational education.
The honor came during the annual MAVA retreat, which was held Aug. 1-3 at the Devens Commerce Center.
Those recognized included:
Dr. Charla Mulbrandon Boles, Director of Special Education, Assabet Valley Regional High School
Dr. Boles worked for more than 33 years in Massachusetts education, serving in Title I and Special Education roles. Dr. Boles taught at Lawrence Public Schools and at Nashoba Valley Technical High School before joining Assabet Tech. She also taught at the K-12 and university levels in Illinois.
She also served as Groton’s representative to the Nashoba Valley Technical High School Committee. She has volunteered her time and expertise though non-profit boards, church, and community activities.
Thomas Cavanaugh, Dean of Students, Blue Hills Regional Technical High School
Cavanaugh arrived at Blue Hills in 1998 from Don Bosco High School, serving as Dean of Students for 25 years. He served the Blue Hills community in several capacities, including Department Head, Director of Athletics, and coach in baseball, golf, and basketball. He was considered, firm, fair, consistent, kind, calm, and most importantly, the ultimate team player.
Clifford Cloutier, Principal, Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School
Cloutier is known as “Mr. Bay Path” for good reason. He was a member of the school’s first freshman class in 1972, where he honed his audio-visual skills, co-founded WBVM-FM, and served as Senior Class President.
He returned to Bay Path with a college degree, working as a math teacher and Media Specialist. Cloutier guided the school through technological changes, eventually becoming Director of Technology. In 2006 he was named the school’s first Principal.
Mark Dufresne, Director of Special Education, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
Dufrense served Upper Cape Cod Tech as Director of Special Education since 2011 but has a long career serving at-risk populations. He worked as Director of Vocational Special Education at Bristol County Agricultural High School, as School Director at Community Care Services, and with a private special education day school program.
Dufrense is not retiring entirely. He was recently named the first Student Support Services Director for the Little Compton, R.I., School Department.
Daniel Hamel, Construction Tech CTE Chairperson, Greater Lowell Technical High School
Hamel worked for Greater Lowell’s Construction Cluster for 23 years, 13 as an instructor and 10 as CTE Chairperson. Beyond sharing his skills and experience with Greater Lowell Tech students, he designed and led many community projects, including for Habitat for Humanity and the Dracut Council on Aging, as well the renovation of an historic building for the Town of Dracut that has been featured on “This Old House.”
Kathleen Holman, Human Resources Director, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School
Holman joined the new Essex Tech in 2014, becoming Human Resources Director in 2019, and played an integral role hiring faculty and staff. Her background as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps and as a private nurse proved instrumental with the onset of COVID-19. Holman worked tirelessly to ensure that students, faculty, and staff remained safe throughout the pandemic.
Holman also introduced Essex Tech to the “Ice Bucket Challenge.” The Challenge, created to assist Pete Frates, Holman’s nephew, raises money to find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Essex Tech will continue to kick off each school year with the Challenge in Holman’s honor.
Mary Beth Joyce, Admissions Director, Blue Hills Regional Technical High School
Joyce has worked at Blue Hills since 1989 and led the District through unprecedented growth in recent years. Joyce’s father was a longtime teacher, who also served as Milton’s representative to the District School Committee. She has been an unwavering advocate for Blue Hills, ensuring as many students as possible had access to a high-quality technical education.
Michael Procaccini, Principal, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School
Procaccini served the Tri-County community for 26 years, starting as a carpentry teacher and ascending to Director of Career and Technical Education and Principal. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of both technical education and Tri-County sports, having attended numerous athletic events. Procaccini has spent countless hours serving on the School Building Committee, a role he intends to continue in retirement.
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira
