Mrs. Debbie Pacheco is the Director of Special Education and District Grant Coordinator at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River, MA.  As Director of Special Education and District Grant Coordinator, Mrs. Pacheco is responsible for ensuring district compliance in regards to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) at Diman.  She is also responsible for drafting and submitting district grants for all of the Greater Fall River Regional Vocational School District.  As Director of Special Education, some of Mrs. Pacheco’s work includes, but is not limited to, coordination and collaboration with the school Special Education liaison, teachers, and team chair in order to confirm that students with disabilities are receiving necessary supports per their Individualized Educational Program (IEP); working closely with outside providers to bring related services to Diman students while they are in school; and other Special Education related initiatives. 

Prior to entering into this position, Mrs. Pacheco earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership, a C.A.G.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Massachusetts Professional License in Special Education Administration.   While these experiences have prepared Mrs. Pacheco for the business aspects of Special Education Administration, they alone are not responsible for inspiring her career choice.   In fact, Mrs. Pacheco’s professional path was influenced by her own personal experience with disability at the age of twenty-eight.  It was her own encounter with disability that helped Mrs. Pacheco to develop the belief that an independent life is possible for most students.  This experience not only helped shape Mrs. Pacheco’s vision of education, but it also drove her desire to help students with disabilities see that disability does not need to define the individual.  It is Mrs. Pacheco’s firm belief that students with disabilities and all educational professionals must not focus solely upon the disability.  Instead, they must concentrate on students' abilities.

In an effort to further strengthen Special Education at Diman, Mrs. Pacheco maintains membership with several community groups.  She currently serves as the treasurer for the Massachusetts Vocational Administrators of Special Education.  She is the vice chair for the Fall River Commission on Disabilities and the president on the Board for the Southeast Center for Independent Living.  Mrs. Pacheco also maintains her membership with the Massachusetts Association of Special Educators.