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Board of Directors
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Teachers, administrators, and others who support the education community bring their combined expertise and unwavering commitment to the annual EDies celebration.
Collette Flanders
Co Chair
Collette is currently an educator in the Bow School District. Prior to making her move to teaching kindergarten in Bow for the 2021-2022 school year, she spent the first 13 years of her career working alongside countless talented and passionate educators at Thorntons Ferry School in Merrimack, recognized as the 2016 New Hampshire Elementary School of Excellence. Collette is passionate about helping students develop their love of learning while fostering positive relationships. Collette values her time collaborating with and learning from fellow members of the EDies board, specifically the time she is able to spend visiting elementary schools across the state as a member of the Elementary School of Excellence selection committee. Collette is certified in both elementary and early childhood education; she graduated from the University of New Hampshire in Durham with her BS Family Studies and her M.Ed in Elementary Education.
Lori Kincaid
Co Chair
Lori has a strong commitment to education in New Hampshire. She worked for the NH Department of Education for 28 years, most recently as the communications officer and she also coordinated the teacher of the year program for the state. She has volunteered on the Excellence in Education Awards Board for the past 20+ years and is a member of the elementary school of excellence committee. She enjoys visiting schools throughout New Hampshire. Lori has two daughters that she loves spending time with and retired in 2021 to take care of her grandchildren.
Paul Yergeau
Vice Chair
Paul has recently retired as the principal of the Deerfield Community School. Previous to being an administrator there, he was an elementary school teacher and middle school science teacher. Currently, he is supervising interns at UNH. Retirement is also allowing him to do more volunteer work, throughout New England as well as internationally, for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. He holds a BA in Biology Education from UNH, a MBA in Information Technology from SNHU, and a CAGS degree in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State University.
Kerstin Dumas
Secretary
Kerstin is the Literacy Specialist at Highland Goffe’s Falls, earning her M.Ed in 2022 as a literacy specialist. She loves helping students with reading and writing through small group intervention and facilitating a love of reading through school-wide leadership. She has spent most of her career teaching at all elementary levels, including children with Autism, which afforded her rich experiences in the foundations of reading and writing. While this is her primary job function by day, Kerstin also enjoys participating in coaching the robotics team and supporting community engagement, where Highland has seen several state championships. In 2023, the school swept the finals, earning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the state competition. In 2022, Kerstin was awarded the Christa McAuliffe Teaching Excellence award by the Manchester School District and was a Teacher of the Year Nominee. In addition, she was honored to be a part of the Highland Goffe’s Falls Elementary staff, which was awarded the NH School of Excellence Award for 2022. She strives to elevate student achievement and collegial relationships within the community.
John MacArthur
Event Manager
John has spent all but three of his twenty-one years as an educator here in New Hampshire. He began his career as a general music teacher and band director at North Andover Middle School in North Andover, MA. He jumped the border and came back home to New Hampshire where he was the Director of Instrumental Music/General Music Teacher at Milford Middle School for seven years prior to becoming an administrator. John started his administrative career as the Assistant Principal of Weare Middle School followed by two years as principal of Boynton Middle School in New Ipswich,NH. Currently John is in his fifth year of serving as the principal of Alton Central School. He feels extremely fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful “Community of Critical Thinkers Who Persevere” at ACS! Alton Central School was recognized as the 2018 New Hampshire K-8 School of Excellence. John holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Rivier College. He is currently pursuing his Ed. D. in Educational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University. John enjoys spending time with his wife Gina and also chasing and/or carting around their son Jonah to whatever travel baseball, flag football, golf or other sport that he plays.
Stacey MacStravic
Treasurer
Stacey serves as the Recognition and Award Programs Coordinator for the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED). In this role, she oversees the Teacher of the Year program. Before joining NHED, Stacey dedicated six years to the Department of Justice. Her professional background also includes positions at Community Bridges and Granite State College. For the first 20 years of her career, she was employed at Brookstone. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Granite State College. She brings extensive business acumen and numerous years of event planning experience to NH Excellence in Education. Outside of her professional commitments, Stacey enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and scrapbooking.
Bryan Belanger
Coming Soon
Fred Bramante
Coming Soon
Jacqueline Coe
Jackie is a New Hampshire native, who went to Colby-Sawyer for her B.A. in American Studies and Dartmouth for her M.A.L.S, with a concentration in writing. She taught high school Social Studies and English before becoming Academic Dean at Bow High School. As a member of the first doctoral cohort at New England College, Jackie completed her dissertation on the impact of blended learning on student engagement. She has facilitated professional development on blended learning, performance assessments, rigor and depth of knowledge, creativity and mentoring. Jackie is especially interested in opportunities to rethink the structures of school. Currently, Jackie serves as Superintendent at SAU 24 (serving Henniker, John Stark, Stoddard & Weare).
Ken Darsney
Ken Darsney is the founder of DETS – DifferentiatED Tech Solutions and currently serves as the Learning Management Systems Administrative Consultant for the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED). In this capacity, he supports the implementation and utilization of the Instructure Canvas Learning Management System and Zoom Communication to enhance NHED-sponsored professional development and provide organizational support to NHED staff, boards, and committees. Ken has over 26 years in the field of education, including 16 years as a school administrator across New Hampshire, and previously served as the Principal of Franklin Middle School, overseeing a student body of 360 in grades 4-8. In addition to his consulting and responsibilities at NHED, Ken has dedicated over 20 years to the Board of NH Excellence in Education, serving as past Treasurer and Chair and currently directing the K-8 School of Excellence Selection Committee. His involvement in educational leadership extends to his service on the NH Council for Teacher Education and the Plymouth State University Holmes Center Council for Professional Development Partnerships. Ken holds a BA from Boston College, an M.Ed., and a CAGS from Plymouth State University. Outside of his professional endeavors, Ken enjoys spending time with his family, sailing, skiing, golfing, and is an avid reader.
Dorene Decibus
Coming Soon
Kate Grieve
Coming Soon
Ellen Hume-Howard
Ellen has served as NHLI’s executive director since 2017. In this role, she leads NHLI to assist New Hampshire schools and districts to deepen their innovative practices in education and improve learning for all students. Ellen leads several projects at NHLI that support teacher leaders as well as supporting innovative districts in the state. Ellen was recognized by the NHSAA, with an Outstanding Service Award in 2012. Before joining NHLI, Ellen worked as the director of curriculum for the Sanborn Regional School District, and guided the district’s research, design, and implementation of a nationally recognized K-12 competency-based learning system. Ellen received her undergraduate degree in English from the University of New Hampshire, a master’s degree in Education and a CAGS in Educational Leadership.
Ron Kew
Ron has been a NH educator for 35 years, currently serving his 13th year as the principal of Swasey Central School in Brentwood, NH in SAU 16. Swasey was the 2023 NH EDies Elementary School of Excellence. Through his career, Ron has enjoyed embedding his love of guitar, technology and The Beatles into his work as a teacher and administrator in several communities, including Hillsboro-Deering, Bow, and Manchester. Ron received his BS in Education from St. Joseph’s College in Windham, ME and his MA in Administration and Supervision from UNH.
Dave Levesque
Coming Soon
Angel Littlefield
Coming Soon
Susan Matthews
Sue is a principal in Manchester and has been an educator in New Hampshire schools for 22 years. She has been in two schools that were recipients of the Elementary School of Excellence Award. As principal of Highland-Goffe’s Falls School, Sue proudly accepted the award in May of 2022. The first award was received at Mastricola Elementary School in 2011, where she spent her time as the language arts coordinator. In both instances, she was honored to have worked alongside dedicated and talented educators. Sue has a M.Ed in Reading and Writing from Rivier, and a CAGS in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State University.
Dan Mitchell
Coming Soon
Stephanie Parzick
Stephanie is in her second year as principal at the Southwick School in Northfield. Previously, she was the Assistant Principal at the Henniker Community School for four years, where they received the 2022 K-8 School of Excellence Award. Stephanie has been an educator for over 17 years. She has worked as a special educator and as an elementary classroom teacher in New Hampshire public schools. Stephanie holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and an MS.Ed. in Special Needs from Simmons University, Boston, MA
Beth Piroso
Beth is an accomplished educator and lifelong learner. With a passion for fostering growth and knowledge, she has made a lasting impact on her school community by working in the Merrimack Valley School district for nearly 40 years. Her innovative teaching methodologies have transformed her classroom into vibrant centers of learning. Along with her colleagues, she is proud of the expertise and dedication to student growth and success that have set the stage for Merrimack Valley students to reach new heights of academic achievement. Mrs. Piroso’s journey exemplifies the remarkable influence one can have through a life devoted to learning, teaching, and contributing to the betterment of society.
David Sutherland
Coming Soon
Dr. Mike Whaland
Dr. Whaland is the Superintendent of Schools for SAU 13, serving the communities of Freedom, Madison, and Tamworth. Mike is also a Teaching Lecturer for Plymouth State University’s Education Department. Prior to serving as a Superintendent, Mike was a District Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Assistant Principal and School Counselor. He is a lifelong New Hampshire native, graduated from Bow High School in 2001 and completed his undergraduate, masters, and CAGS at Plymouth State University in 2006, 2008, and 2013 respectively. Mike also received his Doctorate from Plymouth State in Learning Leadership and Community in 2020. He has presented at the local and national level on his dissertation, "Why Rural Teachers Stay: Examining Teacher Retention and Attrition in New Hampshire’s Rural Schools." Mike serves on a number of boards to include NHASCD, Plymouth State University Alumni Association, Rural Education Leadership Network, and the Holmes Center for School Partnerships and Educator Preparation Advisory Council. He was awarded the 2017 Role Model Award by the New Hampshire Association of School Principals and part of the Union Leader’s 40 Under Forty, Class of 2021. Above all else, Mike is most proud of being part of Lancaster Elementary School’s 2016 K-8 School of Excellence recognition.
Becky Wilson
Becky currently serves as the Director of Governmental Relations for the New Hampshire School Boards Association (NHSBA) after serving in New Hampshire as a district level Special Education Director/Director of Student Services for 21 years. Prior to administration, Becky worked as a special education teacher in Goffstown, NH, and as a teacher/administrator in a residential treatment program for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders and Autism. Becky was a part of the administrative team at Mountain View Middle School in Goffstown in 2001, where they received the 2001 Middle School of Excellence Award, and has been a part of two other school finalist teams. Becky received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education/General Special Education at Keene State College, her Master of Education in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders from Rivier University and holds a CAGS in Educational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. In addition to being a member on the NH EDies board, Becky also serves on the board of Leave No Girl Behind International, a girls’ empowerment organization based in South Africa which provides leadership training to girls ages 12-18 and is a member of the International Association of Special Education (IASE) which provides support and resources to address the identification of special educational needs in developing countries.