Westport is “a caring, dedicated community of folks and I got that from my first interview through all the meetings I’ve had. And it’s very comforting and very easy to walk into a community like that. There’s a different feel in every community and the vibe here is ‘We’re very close, we’re very dedicated and we’re here to help.’””

Dr. Fran Roy

Students won’t be back for another few months, but Dr. Fran Roy got to Westport Middle High School early Tuesday morning, ready and excited to begin her tenure as the district’s new superintendent.

The Portsmouth resident, who was most recently a professor of educator at Stonehill College in Easton, Ma., was unanimously appointed to the post last month by the school committee and replaces former superintendent Thomas Aubin, whose last day was Monday. She was one of two finalists for the position.

Though she won’t get a full sense of the district until students arrive back in the fall, she said Monday that she is excited to be here — “I see a lot of good things,” she said.

What is your first memory of a teacher, or teaching in general?

I always idolized my elementary teachers, so I know it started back then. I remember playing in the neighborhood with other kids and I wanted to play teacher. I always wanted to be the teacher.

Why?

There’s a sense of service, I think, that goes with it. I always wanted to help people, and teaching is a form of wanting to help.

When did you decide you wanted to pursue it as a career?

I grew up in Fall River, and by eighth grade I was very much into sports. I recall telling my guidance counselor that I wanted to be a phys-ed teacher. But I always knew math was my first love and then somehow in high school, I switched from phys-ed to math. When I was in high school I loved tutoring kids and I tutored kids all through college. I still do! Today (Monday) I tutored someone at my house who’s studying to be a teacher. I said, ‘Come over, I’ll help.’

What have you done since finding out you got the job?

I’ve already been in the schools, I’ve met with a few folks already and meetings. It’s a weird time to begin, with everybody on vacation. I’m hoping over the summer to see more — last week there were kids rehearsing for a show they were putting on. I got to see them, so that was great.

What drives you as an administrator?

It’s very much like being a teacher. It’s not a top down, ‘You are going to do it this way because I said’ thing. Its more, ‘Let’s take a look at what the research says, let’s problem solve, and let’s try things that we think are a little bit more effective, and this is why.’ It’s really about collective intelligence and collective learning, not top down mandates.

What impresses you about Westport?

What’s really clear to me is there is a strong sense of community. It is a caring, dedicated community of folks and I got that from my first interview through all the meetings I’ve had. And it’s very comforting and very easy to walk into a community like that. There’s a different feel in every community and the vibe here is ‘We’re very close, we’re very dedicated and we’re here to help.’

Are there things you hope to improve?

I don’t want to presume anything ... I will be listening to folks. We’re going to listen to what folks are telling us. Look at the data, for sure, but we’re going to listen. There’s always an extra level of work to do in any organization — you’re never going to finish. So the goal is, ‘What is the next level?’ I’m very excited.

Were you surprised to get the job?

I really didn’t know what to think when I went into it. I’m very fortunate that I have options ... I’ve been in higher education, I could consult ... I had options. But there was something that sort of spoke to me for a few reasons. I’m from the South Coast, I’m from Fall River, and I knew many of the people when I toured the buildings and that was very nice. And fundamentally, I want to be close to kids. I think after my first interview I felt even stronger about it, and then on my second interview, and it worked out. And every time I’ve had a meeting or met people, it seems like the right place at the right time.

Any thoughts on Dr. Aubin’s retirement?

I knew of him, I never really talked to him previously, though when I was (teaching) at Fall River he was at Diman. I met with him last week. I’m really excited about the experiential learning that they’re putting in place and the career pathways — he calls it neo-technical education — that they’re working toward. I’m totally in agreement with that. They’re ahead of the game and they’re not afraid to try new things.

On education in 2025:

Since day one, I’ve been committed to education, committed to kids. Things are different now and it’s a challenge. Things have changed and now we really want real outcomes for kids. Passing the MCAS test is not enough, that’s a minimum. We want kids to be thriving and that’s not always easy. It takes a dedicated, smart, creative community to get that done.