Windham High's Tom Murphy Named Principal of the Year

The school district's string of leadership achievements will officially continue into 2013, as Windham High School Principal Tom Murphy was announced today as New Hampshire Principal of the Year.

Murphy, 44, who has been principal of WHS since 2010, received the honor in front of colleagues at a ceremony in Meredith, N.H. today. The award is given by the New Hampshire Association of School Principals at the organization's Winter Workshop.

His honor is for the secondary school level, as other awards are issued by the NHASP to top middle school and elementary school principals.

According to WHS Assistant Principal Bob Dawson, Murphy was joined in Meredith by Superintendent Henry LaBranche and some of the SAU staff.

Murphy was named as one of three finalists for the award last year, and received news of the honor several days after Christmas.

A release from Dawson said that he was initially reluctant to tell colleagues at Windham of the honor, but was surprised at a Jan. 2 staff meeting when Bethany Bernasconi, 2012 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year, made the announcement.

Murphy received a standing ovation at that time from the teaching staff at WHS

When Windham High School opened, Murphy first served as an assistant principal. He stepped up from the role of vice principal in 2010 when Richard Manley stepped down from the position to teach history.

Along with Bernasconi, Murphy joins several other WHS staff who have recently been honored.

Jared Cassedy was recently awarded as the New Hampshire Young Band Director of the Year.

Kay Shoubash was awarded as the New Hampshire FACS Teacher of the Year.

Jill Bartlett received the New Hampshire Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Outstanding Professional Award.

English teacher Ryan O'Connor also nearly followed in Bernasconi's footsteps last year as he was named a finalist for 2013 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year.