White Mountains School Official Named 2025 NHSAA Superintendent Of The Year

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire School Administrators Association (NHSAA) proudly announces Dr. Marion Anastasia, Superintendent of the White Mountains Regional School District, as its 2025 Superintendent of the Year.

Superintendent Dr. Anastasia was nominated by peer superintendents, with their entry judged by a panel of former honorees. She has led the White Mountains district as Superintendent since 2015. White Mountains serves about 400 students in Carroll, Dalton, Jefferson, Lancaster, and Whitefield.

Her award was announced at an NHSAA meeting of superintendents statewide on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Superintendent Dr. Anastasia's award was announced by 10-year-old Jade Adams of Wells Memorial School in Harrisville, New Hampshire's Kid Governor-elect for 2025.

In brief remarks, Superintendent Dr. Anastasia thanked the NHSAA, her fellow North Country superintendents, and a student-centered, teacher-focused School Board, all while holding Jade's hand for support.

She said leadership is a team sport, quoting Apple founder Steve Jobs: "It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do."

A brief video of the ceremony may be found here.

Nominators cited Superintendent Dr. Anastasia's commitment to educational opportunity for all children, professionalism, and willingness to support both fellow superintendents and emerging leaders:

“When I arrived as a newcomer to the North Country, I was welcomed warmly by Dr. Anastasia’s professionalism and wisdom," wrote Dr. Ronna HasBrouck, NHSAA Executive Board President and SAU 107 Superintendent. "There are intricacies that only a seasoned administrator of the region can share. She never hesitated to give me her expertise."

“As the North Country Regional Chair she exemplifies all that I would want in a role model. She is cohesive and mentors all of the new superintendents. She has been steady, consistent and keeps us focused," wrote Superintendent Kate Segal of SAU 35. "Her advocacy for all students in the North Country has been nothing short of amazing."

“Marion has dedicated her career to the field of education, consistently demonstrating a deep commitment to the success and well-being of every student under her care. Her leadership during her tenure as Superintendent has been marked by a strong vision for the future, an unwavering focus on academic excellence, and an ability to guide the district through numerous challenges with grace and resilience," wrote David Backler, SAU 20 Superintendent and a member of the Executive Board.

Superintendent Dr. Anastasia holds a Master's degree in Education from St. Michael's College, a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies from Southern New Hampshire University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Vermont.

Before arriving at White Mountains, she served as a Principal in schools in the Washington Central Unified Union School District and the St. Johnsbury School District, both in Vermont.

She is a member of the NHSAA Executive Board and serves as Regional Chair of the North Country Superintendents. She is an Adjunct Professor at Southern New Hampshire University and mentors aspiring superintendents.

"Our superintendents face numerous complex problems, and through collaboration are able to improve educational opportunities for students across the state," said NHSAA Executive Director Dr. Mark MacLean. "Dr. Anastasia represents all that our superintendents do each day, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved honor."

Dr. Anastasia will be recognized during the AASA national conference in New Orleans in March. She will also serve as the keynote speaker at the annual NHSAA conference in June 2025.

Dr. Marion Anastasia, center, Superintendent of the White Mountains Regional School District, has been selected as Superintendent of the Year by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association. From left, Littleton Superintendent Steve Nilhas, SAU 7 Superintendent Dana Hilliard, SAU 20 Superintendent David Backler, Superintendent Dr. Anastasia, SAU 23 Superintendent Dolores Fox, NHSAA Executive Director Dr. Mark MacLean, and SAU 35 Superintendent Kate Segal.

Submitted by The New Hampshire School Administrators Association.