Mansfield Assistant Superintendent Promoted to Head of Schools

MANSFIELD, MA — Mansfield's assistant superintendent of schools will be the school district's top official next year.

The school committee voted to appoint Teresa Murphy as the new superintendent, effective July 1, 2017, pending contract negotiations. She succeeds the outgoing Zeffro Gianetti, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

"I've seen her grow in her role and ability to take on new things and move things forward. (Gianetti's) very good at coaching and mentoring and I think he's done a very good job helping Teresa grow in her role and develop the skills of a superintendent," Committee member Lynn Cavicchi said.

Murphy's candidacy was helped by the need for a familiar face that will be needed in a central office that's facing turnover. In addition to Gianetti's departure, Finance Director Ed Vozzella is retiring and there is now an opening for Murphy's soon to be former position.

"We're losing Ed and if she moves to the superintendent position, it's going to be three people who are going to have to work together so she's in here, she knows the system," Committee member Lauren Scher said. "She's ready for prime time and if we don't hire her someone else will."

Murphy, a Mansfield High School graduate, has been an employee at Mansfield Public Schools for about 11 years. Following an administrative internship in the district, she was hired as the assistant principal of the Jordan/Jackson School in 2005. She was promoted to co-principal in 2008 and principal in 2014. Last year, she was named the assistant superintendent.

Prior to the Mansfield Public Schools, Murphy was a teacher at the St. Mary School in Mansfield from 2002-05, a teacher in Everett, Wash. from 1992-2002, a tour guide for Collette Tours in Pawtucket from 1980-89, and a teacher at the St. John School in Attleboro from 1978-80.

Murphy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Bridgewater State College and a Master Degree of Education from the University of Washington. She anticipates that she'll receive her Ph. D in Educational Leadership from Lesley University in 2017.

Image Credit: Dan Libon