WHS Principal's Award Well-Deserved

Parents, staff and officials are not surprised Windham High School’s principal, Tom Murphy, was named New Hampshire Principal of the Year.

“It’s pretty impressive as he’s only been in Windham for three years,” said School Board Chairman Bruce Anderson. “But, it’s not how long he’s been here, but what he’s done in that time.”

Murphy was honored during the N.H. Association of Principals awards luncheon Jan. 10 in Meredith. Anderson and School Board Vice Chairman Michelle Farrell joined Superintendent Henry LaBranche in accompanying Murphy to the luncheon.

Anderson noted that the first class of Windham High graduated in 2012 with a 0 percent dropout rate and sent 92 percent of its graduates onto college.

“Tom has a great relationship with all the students,” Anderson said. “They trust him, but they also respect him. It’s a nice balance.”

Anderson said during the 2012 graduation ceremonies, fellow board member Mike Joanis summed it up when he noted that every single student hugged the principal as they received their diploma.

“I am not surprised to hear that Principal Murphy won the award,” said Michelle Saklad, a parent of a freshman at Windham High.

She added that the town is fortunate to have such a “magnificent school.”

“When people drive by our new facility, they are often charmed by its presence, but our up-dated facility is not what makes it so successful.  Murphy’s dedication to hiring, developing, and retaining such excellent teachers, and his solid commitment to building a strong community at Windham High School, are the reasons for its success,” Saklad said.

Another parent of a senior at Windham High, Donna Bramante InDelicato, agreed that Murphy cares deeply for every individual that comprises the Windham High School community, from the students and teachers to the building support staff.

“He is beloved and respected by all,” she said. “He strives to offer each and every student the most holistic set of educational experiences possible. The climate he has created at the school truly encourages students to try new experiences, take risks and not be defined by narrow interests.”

InDelicato said that in the past three years, Murphy has established a culture at the school that values a liberal education and human compassion.  

“Mr. Murphy's ‘Rennaisance Awards’ reflect that culture, recognizing students not only for academic achievement, but also for well-rounded involvement and personal character,” she said. “I am so pleased that this sort of leadership is valued by those who offered him this award.”

Windham High’s Dean of Arts Jared Cassedy has worked with Murphy for the past three years.

“In this short amount of time, Tom has cultivated a culture of learning that surpasses academic excellence and focuses heavily on the success of the whole student,” he said.  “The students and staff have all benefited from his unyielding dedication and commitment to the school's programs and initiatives."

Cassedy said one of the many outstanding characteristics he appreciates about Murphy is that he is first and foremost an excellent educator.

“Through this, he has continued to support his faculty members beyond their teaching roles and has also made such strong connections with the students allowing them to reach outside of themselves, take risks, and find success in ways they may not have thought possible,” Cassedy said.  “Tom has and will continue to be one of the best, if not the best mentor and educator, I have been given the opportunity to work with.”

Cassedy added that Murphy has brought a boundless amount of energy, knowledge, and wisdom to the school district.

“I am confident that the community at Windham High School will agree that he is truly at the core of what makes Windham High School so successful.” 

Windham High science teacher Joe Mancinelli certainly agrees with Cassedy.

“Mr. Murphy is a man of great character, a role model to both students and staff,” Mancinelli said.  “Tom, a true leader, is dedicated to creating a superior teaching and learning environment at Windham High School.”

Mancinelli added that Murphy is “open and accessible.”

“It is not uncommon to find him joining the students in many school activities,” he said.  “Last month he actually participated in the faculty student flag football game, playing quarterback naturally, and at a recent pep rally, he was an active participant in a faculty flash mob to ‘Party Rock Anthem.’ No one deserves this award more.”