Congratulations to Walt Whitman High School principal Dr. John Murphy for being named Administrator of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS)!  Dr. Murphy was recognized as Building Leader of the Year for Region 1, which is all of Suffolk County.  Each year, SAANYS recognizes educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and have made exceptional contributions to the educational process. 

South Huntington Superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia says it’s a well-deserved honor for someone who epitomizes the true leader of a high school. “He cares tremendously about his students, his staff, and the parents. He continually goes above and beyond to make sure that Whitman is the most inviting place for all. Students walk into that building feeling like they have a principal who is going to lead them, who is trusted, and has their best interests at heart. And he's a true believer in making sure students realize their dreams,” said Dr. D’Elia.

Dr. Murphy started teaching in 2001 and became principal at Walt Whitman High School in 2015.  He credits one of his high school teachers for inspiring his career in education.  “It was my eleventh grade year in high school,” he remembers, “and I was not doing well. And I had a social studies teacher that changed my life and gave me perspective. I became motivated and saw that I could be successful and I wanted to be able to give kids that same kind of support that he gave to me.”

While he’s honored to be recognized, Dr. Murphy says all the credit really goes to his staff and his students. “They allow me to do what I can do because they work so hard in the classroom, and my students are amazing human beings who change and evolve and grow every day. Just being a part of that is reward enough. The [SAANYS] award is because of those amazing people, not because I did anything. I just got to come to work and enjoy my job.” 

Walt Whitman and the entire school district are fortunate to have Dr. Murphy, both in his leadership role and within the South Huntington community!