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Date: 1/11/2024
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Nicole Manning, an assistant principal at West Springfield Middle School, recently was recognized by a statewide organization of school administrators for her dedication to students and their families.
The Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association selected Manning as its 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year.
“It’s really an honor to be selected,” she said.
Manning said she was “excited, shocked and humbled all at the same time” when she got the news, in a phone call from the president of the MSAA.
WSMS Principal Peter Gillen, who nominated Manning for the award, said the nomination process is a lengthy one. She had to complete a series of written tasks. Then she was interviewed by a panel of administrators from around the state, including MSAA staff and previous award recipients.
John Quinn, assistant director of the MSAA, said MSAA representatives will come to the middle school sometime in January to present Manning with her award. Quinn said Manning will be honored in July at the National Association of Elementary School Principals conference in Nashville. She will get further recognition later that month at the MSAA Summer Institute — the association’s summer conference — in Plymouth.
Manning was an eighth grade history teacher at the school for three years before being promoted to be the assistant principal for sixth grade students six years ago. She said the award acknowledges her dedication to the continued success of students.
“It’s important to recognize public school employees for the work we do,” said Manning. “As educators, we play pivotal roles in shaping the future by fostering intellectual and emotional development of students.”
Gillen said Manning has “forged strong relationships” with students’ families, recognizing the importance of involving parents, and guardians in their children’s education. “Her ability to communicate effectively, listen attentively and collaborate with families has greatly enhanced our school’s community and enriched the educational experiences of our students,” he said.
The WSMS principal went on to say that Manning is an “essential part of what makes West Springfield such a great place to live and work and represents what’s best about our community.” He said she demonstrates ownership, reliability and kindness to create a stronger school for staff and students.
“Her professionalism, organization and dedication are each unparalleled,” said Gillen. “Her ability to lead instructional change coupled with her strength in connecting with students and families makes her uniquely qualified for this award. Nicole has been an award-winning teacher prior to serving in her current role. She’s grown into one of the strongest administrators in the state.”
Manning said she likely would not have received the award, if it wasn’t for the “hardworking professionals” at WSMS. She said the award means a lot to her professionally and personally.
“Professionally, it’s amazing to receive statewide recognition. Personally, I’m proud of the work I’ve done to be selected,” she said.
Some of Manning’s proudest moments as an assistant principal at WSMS are intertwined with the daily interactions teachers and staff have with students.
“We’ve created some really great programs to meet the needs of our learners,” she said. “But more than programs, my proudest moments are seeing the positive interactions between staff and students pay off years after they’ve graduated from the middle school.”
She decided to seek a teaching career in public schools while growing up in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
“My inspiration came from my love of history and the history teachers I had when I was a student,” said Manning. “I found it powerful to be able to impact the future by analyzing the roots of our past.”
After graduating from New Bedford High School in 2001, she attended what was then Westfield State College for a bachelor’s degree in history. That put Manning on the path to becoming certified to teach grades 5-12. She then went back to New Bedford to teach grade 8 history at Roosevelt Middle School.
“However, the friendships and relationships I made during my time in Westfield brought me back to Western Massachusetts after graduation, where I ultimately met my husband at a wedding for very close friends of mine from college. The rest was history,” said Manning, who now lives in East Longmeadow with her family.