Dayana Carlson makes history as first alumna to be named principal at Monty Tech
FITCHBURG — Dayana Carlson, the longtime assistant principal of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, has made history as the first alumna to be named the high school’s principal.
Carlson, a 1996 Monty Tech graduate, succeeds Thomas Browne, who became superintendent-director July 1, and named her principal June 23.
“As a Monty Tech graduate, I am extremely proud to serve as its next principal,” Carlson said in a statement issued by the school. “Monty Tech helped pave the way for my success. I was so fortunate to have a school and teachers who believed in me. As the new principal, I want to do the same.”
A search committee considered 12 candidates for Browne’s former position, which he held for eight years, and forwarded the finalists, including Carlson, to Browne.
Browne’s predecessor as superintendent-director, Sheila Harrity, was named coordinator of the Extended Campus Program run by the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators in December.
Browne said he knew Carlson from their time at both Monty Tech and Leominster High School, where Browne was principal and Carlson was a guidance counselor at the Center for Technical Education Innovation, Leominster High’s vocational division, until 2014.
“I have personally worked with Dayana for two decades now, and we are extremely fortunate to have such a talented professional assuming the role of principal,” Browne said. “Dayana cares deeply about this school and its students, and her leadership skills will continue to move the district forward. There simply is no better person for the job.”
South American immigrant
Carlson immigrated to Fitchburg from Uruguay as a young child. She trained in Monty Tech’s drafting program, and during her senior year she was a dual enrollment student at Fitchburg State University.
Carlson earned her bachelor’s degree in 1999 and her master’s degree in 2006, both from Fitchburg State.
Carlson’s education career started as a Spanish teacher before becoming a guidance counselor for more than a decade and joining Browne at Monty Tech as assistant principal.
Among Carlson’s responsibilities was managing the school’s COVID-19 pandemic mitigation efforts, including the Test and Stay program and at-home test kit distribution.
“I want to continue to empower students and staff to reach their best potential,” said Carlson, who lives in Westminster with her husband and their two children. “We have an amazing school with outstanding students and a staff committed to excellence and the continuous growth of all students.”
Monty Tech is the vocational school serving students in several cities and towns, including Sterling.
This article originally appeared on Leominster Champion: Dayana Carlson is first alumna to be named principal at Monty Tech
