Dr. Michael Morris
Superintendent
(413) 362-1823
morrism@arps.org
Michael Morris has worked in the school district for over twenty years, beginning as a 5th and 6th grade teacher at Fort River Elementary School. He then became the principal of Crocker Farm Elementary School before being appointed Director of Evaluation and Assessment and then Assistant Superintendent. Prior to his appointment as Superintendent in October 2017, he served as Interim Superintendent for one year. Morris’ work on Educator Evaluation has been profiled as one of the four exemplary districts in the state by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Dr. Morris holds a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, a Master’s and CAGS from the University of Massachusetts of Amherst, and a Doctoral degree from Boston College. He has also presented at statewide conferences on a variety of topics for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Massachusetts Elementary Principals’ Association, DESE’s Spring Convening on Educator Evaluation, as well as others.
Dr. Morris lives in Amherst with his wife and two children.
Doreen Cunningham
Assistant Superintendent for Diversity, Equity and Human Resources
(413) 362-1807
cunninghamd@arps.org
Doreen Cunningham has served in many roles supporting students, staff members, and the community. She began her career in education working with English Language Learners and students with special needs, supporting individuals ranging from preschool to graduate students. Ms. Cunningham has also worked as an intervention specialist and as an administrator where she was instrumental in facilitating discussions and training around culturally responsive initiatives. She has a strong belief in creating a culture that values all employees, promotes equity and diversity, and results in a healthy professional environment that fosters respect for diverse perspectives. She is an entrepreneur and conducts financial literacy workshops and wellness seminars for individuals and organizations.
As an advocate of education for all, Ms. Cunningham has made it a priority to continue her own education. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree in Supervision and Leadership. She holds a Bachelors from the University of St. Joseph, a Masters from University of Connecticut and her CAGS from Sacred Heart University.
Ms. Cunningham is a mother of four and a grandmother to two.
Dr. Doug Slaughter
Director of Finance
(413) 362-1812
slaughterd@arps.org
Doug Slaughter has worked in Amherst, Pelham and the Amherst-Pelham Regional School districts since 2007, working in the Information Systems Department as a Data Analyst and Assistant Director. In 2020, he was appointed as Director of Finance for the three districts.
Dr. Slaughter holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri and a doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. He holds multiple licenses from DESE, including Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent, and has been granted a waiver from DESE for the role of School Business Administrator until June 30, 2020. Dr. Slaughter is slated to complete the requirements for licensure well ahead of the expiration of the current waiver he was granted.
Dr. Slaughter lives in Amherst with his family.
Dr. Faye Brady
Director of Student Services
(413) 362-1834
bradyf@arps.org
Faye Brady joined the districts as the Director of Student Services in 2012 after serving in that role in New Jersey. Prior to serving in an administrative role, Dr. Brady worked as a school social worker for 15 years and as a preschool teacher and childcare center developer. She also has more than 30 years of experience as a Clinical Social Worker, working with youth and families in both private practice and treatment centers. Other areas of expertise include disaster response and domestic violence crisis counseling.
Dr. Brady holds a BA from Antioch College, an MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning, and Ed.S and Ed.D degrees from Seton Hall University. She enjoys teaching and has provided numerous professional presentations and trainings on co-teaching, family engagement/partnerships and leading effective team meetings. Dr. Brady has also served as an adjunct professor at Mt. Holyoke College.
Dr. Brady lives with her family in Hadley.
Dr. Marta Guevara
Director of Student and Family Engagement
(413) 362-1871
guevaram@arps.org
Marta Guevara joined the district in 1999 as a Spanish teacher at Amherst Regional High School. Since that time, she has served in various roles including Assistant Principal of ARHS, Student Services Administrator and as a District Director. Dr. Guevara has been a member of the MSAN Research Practitioners Council for the past 10 years, presenting at various conferences for both adults and students. She holds an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Prior to beginning her work in Amherst, Dr. Guevara worked with grade K-12 students in other school districts in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico and has also taught both undergraduate and graduate students in the field of education and served as an administrator at the University of Puerto Rico.
Dr. Guevara believes education is the key to opportunity and freedom and is committed to removing obstacles for students to succeed. She has devoted the last five years to founding and developing programming for the ARPS Family Center, which serves all families in the district with a comprehensive tiered support system. The ARPS Family Center also oversees the out-of-school-time programming, as well as student leadership, for the district.
Dr. Guevara is a dancer with Grupo Tradiciones, a Latino Folk Dance group based in Amherst, whose members are also staff in the district. She has two children and five grandchildren.
Micahel Gallo O’Connor
Director of School Nutrition
(413) 362-1839
oconnellmg@arps.org
Under construction
Jerry Champagne
Director of Information Systems
(413) 362-1884jchamp@arps.org
Jerry Champagne joined the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools in July 1999 when the town and the schools decided to split the IT department to better serve each organization. He was hired as a Network Analyst with a primary focus on the Amherst and Pelham Elementary Schools, sharing support for the district infrastructure. He then became the Director of Information Systems following the departure of the previous director. Prior to joining the district, he was employed as a network and service technician in the private sector. He has been supporting technology of various kinds for almost 30 years. Mr. Champagne received his BSME from Western New England College.Mr. Champagne lives in Easthampton with his wife. He has one son and two grandchildren.