Shawn Desmond was named the new principal of Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School. Desmond previously spent three years as principal of Avon Middle-High School. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Regional School District)
SOUTH EASTON — Shawn Desmond, an educator with nearly 20 years of experience and a background in career and technical training, has been named the new principal of Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School.
He officially took the helm on July 1, succeeding Christina Guarini, who served as acting principal for the past year.
Desmond joins Southeastern after serving the last three years as principal of Avon Middle-High School. He is also deeply familiar with career and technical education (CTE), having served as director of career and technical education for Brockton Public Schools from 2019 to 2022. In that role, he led the district’s development and implementation of CTE curriculum and policies.
Desmond began his career in education in 2006 as a seventh-grade English teacher in Framingham.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership and Management from Fitchburg State University.
“I’m really excited to join the Southeastern community,” Desmond said. “There are a lot of great things going on here. My job is to help us get to the next level. My goal is to listen, learn, and determine how I can support the staff here. I’ve already had some take me up on that this summer. I look forward to a successful school year for all of our teachers, staff and students.”
Just prior to becoming the new principal of Southeastern, Desmond was an Epic Educator presenter at the national Model Schools Conference held in June in Washington D.C., making a presentation on “Building Belonging Classrooms,” with a focus on improving chronic absenteeism in school.
Ahead of the school year, Southeastern is organizing a virtual forum with Principal Desmond to discuss what’s ahead, including a newly instituted policy concerning cell phones and Wi-Fi-enabled devices. A date for the forum will be announced soon.
Desmond has personal experience implementing such policies. Last year, Avon Middle-High School introduced Yondr Pouches for all students, allowing them to keep their phones with them while rendering the devices unusable by locking them inside the pouch.
“Creating a phone-free environment will help limit distractions and allow us to become more focused on instruction and learning,” Desmond said. “This will enrich the educational experience.”
Superintendent Holly McClanan welcomed Principal Desmond to Southeastern and expressed confidence in his leadership.
“Principal Desmond brings a wealth of experience, dedication and passion that will serve him well in this new role,” Superintendent McClanan said. “I am confident that under his leadership, Southeastern teachers and staff will receive the support they need to do their jobs well, and our students will be well-prepared for college, the workforce, or whichever path they choose.”
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