Murphy nominated for principal award

After serving as principal of Sparta School since May 2001, Susan H. Murphy recently received vindication by being named one of the 17 finalists in the northwest region for the 2006 Wachovia Principal of the Year award. The competition is held yearly and is conducted by the North Carolina Department of Instruction and Wachovia Bank.

Murphy became principal of the school following the retirement of John Brady. Prior to the board of education’s decision, Murphy had served as the school’s assistant principal for three years, had been a teacher at Glade Creek Elementary for 11 years and had been a teacher at Roaring River in Wilkes County for 11 years.

“I feel honored to be nominated as a principal of the year for the Alleghany School System,” said Murphy, who admitted to telling less than five people about the nomination she learned when opening mail from the central office.

“Brenda Sutherland just sent it to me, and her wording was this was one of the last nice things that (former Superintendent Duane) Davis did, and he nominated me for the Wachovia Principal of the Year for this LEA (local education association).”

Murphy, who stated she had never been nominated for such an honor, said, “My strengths are certainly my communication skills. I feel that is probably the strongest area that I have. The other area I feel equally strong in is I’m a very caring individual and care for the students and my staff very, very much. I’m dedicated to the students and the staff, and am probably a workaholic...I work all the time and enjoy my work tremendously.”

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