• Essex Elementary School

    Danielle Demetri |Grade 5 Classroom Teacher 

    Danielle Demetri joins us with a Master’s degree in both Counseling and Education, from Lesley University and Endicott College respectfully, and training that is so meaningful to an educator today. Danielle is new to a general education teaching role, but not new to MERSD. For several years, Danielle worked within specialized education programs, working with a diverse population of students. Last year, Danielle was the long-term classroom teacher substitute in fifth grade, during which time she demonstrated her exceptional ability to build healthy relationships with students while navigating the grade level’s academic demands. We were not surprised that, within a large candidate pool, Danielle rose above the pack.  

    Giulia Orlando| Grade 3 Classroom Teacher 

    Giulia comes to us from Gloucester Public Schools where she has worked as a collaborative special education teacher for the past few years. With her Merrimack College Master’s focused on special education, Giulia is an active co-teacher, designing and scaffolding engaging academic experiences that benefit all students. Giulia joins us as a third grade general education teacher, employing her skills from a different perspective.

    Colleen Shannon | School Adjustment Counselor 

    After a successful year as a long-term substitute school adjustment counselor, we’re thrilled to offer Colleen a full-time position in this role. Colleen has worked as a counselor with children, adolescents, and families for over 20 years and specializes in helping children cope with grief and loss.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy from Lesley University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Salem State University.  She is an adjunct professor for the Smith College School of Social Work. 

    Manchester Memorial Elementary School 

    Stephanie Houde | Pre-K Teaching Assistant 

    Stephanie worked last year at MMES as a PK Teaching Assistant for the first half of the year and as a PK Teacher for the second half of the year.  She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and recently graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development. Stephanie has enjoyed helping children navigate their development and providing them with the support they need to create a strong foundation for their future.  She looks forward to continuing this during the 2023-2024 school year. 

    Manchester Essex Regional Middle School  

    Ashley Gilson | Long Term Substitute, Grade 8 English 

    Ashley is a current MERSD employee. In addition to working as a daily and long-term substitute in a variety of classrooms, she spent the 2021-22 school year as a teaching assistant in our sail program. This year, Ashley transitioned to our grade 8 English classroom as a long-term substitute teacher. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the savannah college of art and design. 

    Jacqueline Hurley | ACE Program Teacher

    Jacqueline has worked at the preschool and elementary levels as a special education intern, literacy tutor, and reading interventionist. Most recently, she worked at Lake View Elementary and Northport Elementary in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Alabama. 

    Manchester Essex Regional High School    

    Elisabeth Drinkwater |  Dean of Students

    Elisabeth (Liz) is joining the MERHS staff as the Dean of Students. She has spent the past 9 years teaching Spanish at Beverly High School while also serving as the World Language Department Head and the Director of Summer School. Prior to Beverly, Liz spent time teaching elementary school Spanish in NH for several years. Liz completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at UNH in addition to her CAGS in Educational Leadership from Salem State University. She resides in Beverly with her husband and two daughters. 

    Alisha Gomes  |  Nurse (Middle/High School)

    Alisha is joining the middle/high school after three years in the private healthcare industry. Alisha has worked as a registered nurse at North Shore Community Health and a clinical associate at Beth Israel Lahey Health. Alisha holds a Bachelor of Science in exercise and health services from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from MGH Institute of Health Professions.  

    John Herrick  | Biology and Anatomy Teacher

    John Herrick is returning to us as a biology and anatomy teacher.  John was a long-term substitute here at MERHS in 2016.  Since then, he has taught biology and anatomy and physiology at Marblehead High School.  John holds a Bachelor of Arts from Johnson State College and a Master of Education from Gordon College.

    Janie O'Halleran  | School Psychologist  (Middle/High School)  

    Janie is a licensed school psychologist who recently moved to the North Shore after working for four years with students ages three to 21 in the Chelsea Public Schools.  Janie holds a master of science degree in school psychology from Northeastern University and a bachelor’s degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine.  Janie will support students in the middle school SAIL program and conduct psychological evaluations for initial referrals and reevaluations at the middle and high school level. 

    Heidi Pallo | Special Education Teacher  

    Ms. Pallo earned her undergraduate degree from Gordon College in recreation, sports, and wellness.  She also earned her graduate degree from Gordon College in special education. Ms. Pallo worked as a teacher's assistant at MERHS for the past two years in the SWING and Transitions programs.   

    Amanda Rumble| Bridge Program-Counselor

    Amanda Rumble is returning to us as a counselor for our Bridge program.  Amanda was a counseling intern with us in 2018-19 and worked as a long-term substitute counselor for the 2020-2021 school year.  Before returning to us this year, Amanda spent the last couple of years as a school adjustment counselor in Marblehead.  We are very happy to have her back in the Bridge program. 

    Julie Sgroi | Principal

    Julie Sgroi comes to us as the next MERHS Principal.  Prior to this, she was the assistant principal at Danvers High School and middle school.  She also served as department chair in Lynnfield for a number of years.  She has her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Salem State University. 

    Christian Weisse | History Teacher

    Christian is the newest member of our history department.  They are coming to us from Burlington where they helped out in many different ways as a building substitute.  A graduate from Salem State University, they are passionate about teaching history.  

     

    Manchester Essex Regional School District Central Office 

    Heather Leonard|  Director of Curriculum and Instructional Technology

    Heather joins us from Reading Public Schools where she was the STEM Curriculum Coordinator since 2018 and previously Principal of Barrows Elementary School. Leonard holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She began her career as an educator at Gloucester Public Schools, where she worked as an after-school program coordinator, Math/Science teacher, and then as the Middle School Assistant Principal until 2010. She then served as the Elementary School Assistant Principal at Triton Regional Schools until 2013 before transitioning to her roles in Reading.