Six outstanding Portland Public Schools educators are taking on new administrative roles, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

At Deering High School, Rebecca Schouvieller, an assistant principal at Deering over the past year, is now that school’s interim principal. Carlie Frederick, who most recently was an instructional coach at Lincoln Middle School, is now a Deering assistant principal. Jeff Burnap is also a Deering assistant principal. Jeff was appointed to that position during the past school year, but on an interim basis at that time.

Lincoln Middle School has a new assistant principal: Gillian Sirois, who has been a science teacher at Lincoln for the past four years. Blake Kastle, who had been Lincoln’s assistant principal since 2022 and assistant principal/lead teacher of the district's Breathe Behavioral Health Continuum prior to that, is now the district’s Director of Special Education for Secondary Schools.

At Longfellow Elementary School, Hana Tallan, who has been an ELL educator at the Portland Public Schools for nearly three decades, is now Longfellow’s interim assistant principal.

Learn more about these new leaders:

Rebecca Schouvieller, Interim Principal, Deering High School

Rebecca Schouvieller is Deering's new interim principal after being the school’s assistant principal since 2024. She is passionate about supporting high schoolers to define and reach their goals, collaborating with teachers, and making school a welcoming and joyful place for all students. Her goals are to work with and learn from the community to build on Deering's proud tradition of being "all one school" and having "minds on" classrooms.

Rebecca joined the Portland Public Schools in 2024 from Lewiston High School,where she was an assistant principal. Prior to that, she taught high school social studies for over a decade in central Maine, at Falmouth High School, and in Washington, D.C. Other educational experiences include mentoring in Harvard's teacher training program since 2017, as well as curriculum writing and coaching work for districts in Massachusetts and New Mexico. Rebecca holds a master's degree from Harvard University and a bachelor's from Bowdoin College.

Carlie Frederick, Assistant Principal, Deering High School

Carlie has been an educator at the Portland Public Schools for 15 years, and most recently was an instructional coach at Lincoln Middle School.

Carlie has a wealth of experience as a student-centered educator, a coach and mentor to teachers, and as an instructional leader. Carlie, who has been a teacher since 2009,  joined PPS in 2010. After several years as a standout math teacher in the district, she became a Chapter 104 math consultant in 2015. She transitioned to a math coach role in 2019, where she supported math instruction across our three middle schools and at Deering. Beginning in 2022, Carlie served as the instructional coach at Lincoln, where she has supported rich teacher collaboration; promoted building-wide use of teaching strategies that engage all students; and led the implementation of the EL ELA curriculum. Additionally, she has taught courses at the University of Southern Maine, supporting masters students preparing to teach K-12 math.

Carlie holds a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry and psychology from Eastern University; a  master’s degree in education from the University of Southern Maine; and a Poincaré Institute Certificate in Mathematics, from the Poincaré Institute at Tufts University.

When she's not at work, Carlie can be found with her husband, two children, and three fluffy dogs enjoying Maine nature, making art, listening to music, or enjoying all the best food together.

Jeff Burnap, Assistant Principal, Deering High School

Jeff Burnap brings over 20 years of experience across public, private, and alternative school settings to his role as assistant principal at Deering High School. With a deep commitment to holistic student well-being and learning, Jeff approaches education with both a critical lens and a belief in what’s possible when schools center relationships, care, and real-world connection.

Since joining Deering in 2022, he has served as a science teacher, dean, and interim administrator, co-led student leadership groups, facilitated restorative practices, and worked to create space where both students and staff can pursue meaningful, equity-driven work. Prior to his time in Portland, Jeff led alternative education programs and taught in several Maine communities, always focused on student voice, collaboration, and creative approaches to learning.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Bates College and a master of education from the University of Southern Maine. A Portland resident and father of three students in the district, Jeff is personally and professionally committed to helping schools grow into places that reflect the dignity and potential of the people in them. Outside of school, he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family.

Gillian Sirois, Assistant Principal, Lincoln Middle School

Gillian Sirois is an experienced educator and teacher leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a student-centered approach, both of which align with Lincoln Middle School's mission and values. In her new role as assistant principal, Gillian looks forward to supporting academic achievement, climate and culture, and the continued development of students' social and emotional needs.

For the past 12 years, Gillian has been a science teacher and teacher leader in several districts, including the Portland Public Schools. Most recently, she has been a science teacher at Lincoln for the past four years. Prior to that, she worked as a middle school science teacher in Wiscasset, and as a seventh-grade science teacher in Melrose, Massachusetts and Duxbury, Massachusetts, for a total of eight years.

Gillian holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education, with a concentration in biology, from the University of Vermont. She holds a master’s degree in education, with a concentration in physical science, from Bridgewater State University.

Outside of school, Gillian enjoys spending as much time as she can outside! This means she can often be found walking on the beach, expanding her garden, hiking, or paddle boarding on the lake. She also loves crafting, and learning new things—most recently taking a pottery class this summer!

Hana Tallan, Interim Assistant Principal, Longfellow Elementary School

Hana Tallan, an experienced educator who has dedicated herself to helping Portland Public Schools students succeed for nearly three decades, is Longfellow Elementary School’s new interim assistant principal.

Hana came to this country from Somalia in 1990 and joined the district in 1996 as an educational technician. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and became a certified teacher in 2019. She earned a master’s degree in education leadership from USM in 2025. Prior to being appointed interim assistant principal, Hana’s most recent role was teaching English to speakers of other languages in kindergarten and first grade at East End Community School.

As a teacher, Hana has been committed to building students’ capacity to realize their dreams and working each day to meet students’ academic, emotional and intellectual needs. In her role as interim assistant principal, Hana’s goal is to ​continue creating a safe and positive environment for staff and students to be supported in teaching and learning.

Outside of school, Hana's interests are traveling around the world and visiting her grandkids. Hana has five children, all of whom attended the Portland Public Schools and are now college graduates. Her children are either continuing their graduate education or have already achieved their goals.

 

Blake Kastle, Director of Special Education for Secondary Schools

Blake is a passionate educator devoted to creating equitable schools for all students by partnering with families, students, teachers, and policy makers. She joined the Portland Public Schools in 2019 as assistant principal/lead teacher of the district's Breathe Behavioral Health Continuum, which serves students with serious behavioral and emotional needs. Most recently, she served as assistant principal of Lincoln, beginning in 2022.

Before coming to Maine, Blake held a variety of educational and leadership positions in Portland, Oregon; Providence, Rhode Island; and New York City. Her previous experience includes working as a special education teacher and behavioral specialist, data analyst and professional/community learning manager, education consultant, and as director of a progressive leadership development program.

Blake enjoys working in diverse and collaborative teams and using data to drive for equity. She is skilled at leading teams in collectively developing plans to address student instructional and social emotional needs. As the director of special education for secondary schools, Blake is excited to expand this work to better serve Portland students with diverse learning needs, and promote more inclusive school cultures where neurodiversity is valued as an asset to the individual and community.

When she's not at work, Blake enjoys spending time outside with her family, reading books, and participating in PPS from the parent side of the table!

Other new leaders the district hired earlier this summer for the 2025-2026 school year are Joe Trivisonno, principal at Rowe Elementary School; Laurie Cloutier, principal at Lyseth Elementary School; Taryn Southard, new lead teacher at Reiche Elementary School; and Bill Anton, teaching principal at Peaks Island Elementary School and Cliff Island School. The district also recently hired Dr. Cheryl Proctor as Chief of Schools & Academics; Bryon Newcomb as Director of IT; and Sarah Rent as Director of Special Education for Elementary Schools. Learn more about these new leaders.