Fall River Public Schools Appoints Matthew Desmarais as Director of Social Studies

FALL RIVER — Superintendent Tracy Curley is pleased to announce that Matthew Desmarais has been chosen as the new director of social studies for Fall River Public Schools.

Desmarais, a long-time Fall River educator, started in his new role on July 1. In his new role, Desmarais will oversee the implementation of the social studies curriculum throughout all Fall River Public Schools.

Desmarais has been the Principal of B.M.C. Durfee High School for the past seven years, demonstrating exceptional leadership throughout the design, construction, and successful opening of the new high school building which opened in 2021.

“I am thrilled to welcome Matthew into his new role as the district’s new director of social studies,” said Superintendent Curley. “He has been a dedicated and valuable school leader in our district for many years. I am confident his leadership skills will propel our district’s innovative and comprehensive approach to social studies education.”

Desmarais has spent his entire academic career at Durfee. Before his current role, he led the school’s history department, was a school Vice Principal, and served as the interim department head of both the world language and English departments. He was first hired at Fall River Public Schools in 2001 as a history teacher.

Desmarais holds a Bachelor’s degree in history and a Master’s degree in teaching, both from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

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