Dr. Amanda Durocher has been named Assistant Director and Assistant Teaching Professor at Simmons University, marking the next chapter in a journey that began here more than a decade ago. 

Her connection with NECC began in 2011, during her senior year at St. Lawrence University, when she first learned about NECC’s mission and the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in special education through Simmons University. 

“As I listened to the presentation about NECC and the opportunity to earn a free master’s degree in special education through Simmons University, something clicked,” Durocher said. “I left that session knowing I wanted to be part of it.” 

After graduation, Durocher joined NECC as a Level 1 Float Teacher, supporting classrooms on Francine Road and West Hill Road. Three months later, she transitioned into a Level 2 Teacher and Case Manager role while pursuing a Master of Science in Education with Licensure for Severe Disabilities through the NECC-Simmons partnership. 

Over the next several years, Durocher continued to grow within NECC, serving as an Education Coordinator before taking her work abroad in 2016 with NECC’s London Project. As a Lead Teacher, she provided individualized instruction, collaborated closely with families and multidisciplinary teams, and helped develop educational programming tailored to each student’s unique needs. 

Her time in London also became an important part of her personal story. While working at Frederick Hugh House (FHH), a private school for children with disabilities, Durocher met her now husband, Alex Heggie, who was an adaptive physical education and math teacher. She returned to Massachusetts and brought Heggie with her to NECC, where he has served as an Adaptive Physical Education Teacher since 2020. 

Back in Massachusetts, Durocher returned to NECC as an Education Coordinator in the Intensive Instruction Program (IIP) Day Program before joining the ACE Department as a Training and Implementation Specialist in 2021. Over the next five years, she supported educators across the organization through training, consultation, and educational resources while also helping share ACE initiatives with the NECC community through creative content and the department’s Instagram page. 

Throughout her career, Durocher remained connected to Simmons University. Since 2021, she has served as a Supervising Practitioner, Practicum Supervisor, and Adjunct Professor. She has taught Special Education Law, supervised graduate students during their practicum experiences, and most recently taught in the inaugural Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA) Eligibility Program in the United Arab Emirates. 

As part of the program, she developed the course syllabus and helped create a curriculum aligned with both UAE and U.S. professional standards for behavior analysts. 

“We are excited to welcome Amanda into this new role with the Simmons team,” said Chris Evans, M.Ed., Chair of Education at Simmons University. “Her expertise, dedication to students, and commitment to advancing education make her an excellent addition to our program.” 

This August, Durocher will begin her new role as Assistant Director and Assistant Teaching Professor at Simmons University, Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences, joining the team of Chair of Education, Chris Evans, M.Ed. and Associate Director of Practicum and Licensure Officer, Heather Fortin, MSEd where she will continue strengthening the longstanding partnership between Simmons and NECC while helping prepare the next generation of special education professionals.  

 “The passion I feel for the field of special education all started at NECC,” Durocher said. “It’s an honor to step into this role and continue supporting the Simmons mission while working alongside the NECC community and our master’s and QBA cohorts in the UAE.”