Late Peabody Superintendent Honored With Peabody Legacy Award

PEABODY, MA — A Peabody superintendent remembered for her leadership, vibrant personality and love for her students will be honored posthumously with the George Peabody Legacy Award.

The Peabody Education Foundation selected Cara Murtagh, who died unexpected at 44 years old in November, as the lone recipient for this year's award that recognizes educators and philanthropists from Peabody who "work to provide a lifetime of contributions to our educational system."

"In these days of a global pandemic, the traditional ways of educating students have been severely disrupted," the Peabody Education Foundation said in a release on Friday. "Teachers are rising to the challenge by providing and education that goes beyond just academics. Former Superintendent Cara Murtagh would have been at the forefront of this challenge.

"She was a leader, a vibrant personality, and dearly loved her students. Cara's work ethic was unexcelled, and she lived the goal of "Every Student, Every Day!'"

Murtagh worked her way up from classroom teacher to be named Superintendent of Schools in her hometown in 2018. She started her career as a teacher at St. John the Baptist School before moving to the Carrol School in Peabody. She later served as an assistant principal and principal at the Carroll School, and then served as principal of the Center School.

"While Cara's untimely passing took her away from us too soon, her dedication and commitment to education will remain with us forever," the Peabody Education Foundation said.

The award will be presented posthumously to her mother, Carol Murtagh, in a virtual ceremony held at the J. Henry Higgins Middle School on Nov. 29.