Two Massachusetts Principals Receive National Recognition.

FRANKLIN, Mass. -- Two Massachusetts educators have been selected for national recognition as Principals of the Year by Met Life and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) it was announced. They are:

* John M. Brucato, Principal, Milford High School, Milford

The program annually recognizes secondary school leaders who demonstrate exemplary skills in educational leadership, resolving complex problems, providing continued professional growth for self and others, and service to their community. The two educators, along with their colleague, William J. Nunnally, of Dracut Senior H.S., the Assistant Principal of the Year will be recognized at the Summer Institute of the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association in Falmouth this summer.

In addition, they will attend a three day Principals= Institute in Washington, D.C. where they will have an opportunity to share their experience and expertise with school administrators from throughout the country. Both principals are also candidates for National Principal of the Year.

Mr. Brucato was named principal at Milford H. S. in 2000 and prior to that he served as assistant principal since 1996. He is extremely active in his community participating in numerous local organizations leading him to be named "Milford's Man of the Year" by the Chamber of Commerce in 2001.

A believer in continued professional growth and collaborative leadership, he has developed a system at Milford High School to encourage teachers and administrators to be involved in personal professional growth and participate on a variety of committees. Three of his assistants have gone on to become principals.

Mr. Brucato has published two books including "An Educational Leader's Guide to Managing School Culture" focused on the fundamentals of collaborative leadership. He lectures frequently at workshops on the local and national level and at area colleges and universities. He will become President of the MSSAA in August, 2007.

Mr. LaLiberte has been principal at The Gavin School since 2001 coming to that position after serving as principal of Hanover Middle School from 1993 until 2001.

He is recognized by the entire school community, superiors, colleagues, students and parents, for his efforts using collaborative leadership skills to create a positive school environment. He places a high priority on overcoming the students' image of the principal as a disciplinarian and getting students to view him as partner in their educational journey.

Mr. LaLiberte devotes time to advancing the profession and developing future school administrators as a presenter at workshops and seminars and participation in committees and activities with the MSSAA.

The Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association represents the interests of 1,100 principals and assistant principals in high schools and middle schools throughout the Commonwealth.