Administration

Jennifer Michitson, Principal 

Ms. Jennifer Michitson brings an experienced administrative and teaching background consisting of nine years as an English teacher for grades 9-12 and five years as an Academic Dean for grades 6-12 for the Timberlane Regional School District. Highlights from her career and administrative experience include expertise in the areas of K-12 curriculum alignment, evaluation, and revision, staff development, teacher supervision, technology integration, competency-based education, Universal Design for Learning, Social and Emotional Learning, and data-informed decision-making. Ms. Michitson's educational credentials include a Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree with a Principal Certification from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Hampshire.
 

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Robert Dawson, Assistant Principal / Student Life

Dr. Robert Dawson is the Assistant Principal / Student Life and the Athletic Director at both the Middle and High Schools. He started his teaching career at Merrimack Valley HS in 1987 and has worked for the Concord, Timberlane, and Windham districts since then. He has been an administrator since 2008, including two years as Principal at Windham HS. He is the 2011 honoree of Administrator of the Year from the NH Association of Student Councils, and a finalist for Asst. Principal of the Year in 2019. He recently completed his doctoral work at the University of New England, earning a degree as a Doctor of Educational Leadership and Administration in May of 2022.

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Tim Westphal, Assistant Principal

Tim Westphal comes to Sanborn with 20 years of educational experience at the high school level.  He spent his first 18 years at Goffstown High School serving as a classroom instructor, the lead teacher of the Social Studies department, and as their interim Dean of Students just prior to the pandemic.  The last two years were spent as an Assistant Principal at Franklin High School.  Mr. Westphal believes that building positive relationships is the key to unlocking human potential and most importantly improving student outcomes.  He received his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of New Hampshire, and his Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree with a Principal Certification from Southern New Hampshire University.

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Nichole O'Brien, Assistant Principal / Curriculum

Ms. Nichole O’Brien joins the Sanborn team with both teaching and administrative experience in education. After receiving her Bachelor of Art in Social Studies Education from Troy University, she stepped into the classroom as an American government teacher at Pinkerton Academy where she predominantly taught in the Freshman Academy in addition to Advanced Placement political science courses which she proposed and designed. Prior to coming to Sanborn, Ms. O’Brien served Merrimack Middle School in the Merrimack School District as their interim assistant principal. During her time as a teacher, she earned a Master of Art in American History and Government from Ashland University. Most recently, she completed a Master of Education in Leadership in School Administration through Southern New Hampshire University and is currently completing advanced coursework at Indiana University studying Education Law. 

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Heidi Leavitt, School Counseling Director

Heidi has been employed at Sanborn Regional High School since 2009 as the Special Education Counselor.  Heidi has been instrumental in the development of the Extended Learning Opportunity/Work-based Learning Program at the high school growing the program from 1 student in 2009 to 75+ in the 2017-18 school year.  In addition, Heidi has served on the district training team to bring professional development to the faculty and staff regarding a variety of mental health issues.  Heidi also serves as a district trainer for Crisis Prevention and Intervention.  Heidi holds a license as a clinical mental health counselor for the state of New Hampshire as well as a certification as a guidance counselor in New Hampshire.  Heidi received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Assumption College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UMASS Dartmouth.  Heidi completed her coursework for a guidance certification at Rivier University.

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