MEREDITH - After 19 years as an educator and four years as principal at Windham High School, Thomas Murphy was given the New Hampshire Association of School Principals' Charles A. Napoli Secondary Principal of the Year award.

Murphy and other state educators were honored at a ceremony at Mill Falls in Meredith on Thursday.

Murphy was cited as the top principal because he "embodies everything that is exemplary about being a principal in his capacity as lead teacher, cultivator of innovation, purveyor and disseminator of best practices, and advocate for excellent teachers," NHASP officials said.

He was proud of the honor.

"It's rewarding, and we don't expect this kind of honor as educators, so it is special," he said. "It's more a reflection on the school's progress as a whole though."

The Assistant Principal of the Year honor went to Sharon Putney of Thorntons Ferry Elementary School in Merrimack, who "not only had a positive impact on her school but has also contributed to successful initiatives throughout her district," officials said in presenting her with the award.

The Elementary School Principal of the year award went to Pam Stiles of Chichester Central School, who was cited for bringing reality to the "Follow the Child" concept.

The Middle School Principal of the Year Award was given to Kevin Richard of the A. Crosby Kennett Middle School in Conway. He was cited for promoting a positive learning culture and applying the best practices for student learning.

The group's Role Model Awards went to Assistant Principal Pamela Hill of Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook, Michael Lepene of Frances Richmond Middle School in Hanover, Jo-Ann Georgian of Sandown North Elementary School in Sandown, and Brian Stack of Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston.


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