The assistant superintendent of teaching and learning position for the Old Rochester Regional School District has been unfilled for more than a year, since its former occupant Elise Frangos retired. But on Aug. 12 the Joint School Committee voted in her successor: Jannell Pearson-Campbell, along with a Director of Student Services, Craig Davidson.

The district’s current Superintendent Michael Nelson left his position as director of student services vacant when he stepped into the district’s top role. 

Nelson and a 15-member committee selected Pearson-Campbell from 40 applicants. She previously served as a special education and science teacher in Boston, an assistant principal and a principal, and was most recently assistant director of special education at Waltham Public Schools. 

Nelson said that  “all those who interacted with her felt, ‘wow, I feel like I’ve known her a long time.’”

In briefly acknowledging her appointment, Pearson-Campbell said that she also felt completely welcomed during her visit. 

Her mother was watching in the background, and Pearson Campbell said she “always told me not to go into teaching, and so I want to show her ‘look what I did!’” 

She one day aspires to be a Superintendent. 

Davidson served as a special education teacher for Bourne Public Schools, where he helped forge a partnership with Cape Cod Community College. 

Nelson says that Davidson loves to be part of the life of his schools, even beyond his responsibilities, and his interviewers “loved his passion and commitment to inclusive practices.” 

Davidson congratulated Pearson-Campbell, and said he also loved his interactions with everyone at ORR, and “can’t wait to start working in the best district in the South Coast.” 

The district’s recently-hired Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Howie Barber, has been working a day or two a week and will start full-time on Monday, Nelson said.