New Leadership at Hampton School District Takes the Helm Amid COVID-19

HAMPTON — As Hampton School District adjusts to its new hybrid learning model this fall amid COVID-19, a handful of new leaders will also oversee a fresh chapter for the community.

The District has promoted or hired five people to significant roles this school year, including:

• Dr. Lois B. Costa, who has been with the District for 20 years, has been named Superintendent.
• Bridget Hughes, who has been with the District for two years, is the new Assistant Principal of Hampton Academy. 
• Nathan Saddler, who has been with the District for seven years, is the new Principal of Adeline C. Marston School. 
• Kathleen Hoppa, new to the District, is the Assistant Principal of Adeline C. Marston School. 
• Lois DaSilva-Knapton, new to the District, is the Director of Student Services.

“Even as we have grappled with the challenges and realities we all face due to COVID-19, we are excited to welcome a new team of leaders to the District,” Superintendent Costa said. “With these new faces, and familiar faces in new roles, we have an opportunity to really grow, bring in new ideas and embark on the next chapter for Hampton School District. Each and every member of our team is deeply committed to supporting our students, faculty and staff, and we’re fortunate to have to have such a dedicated group.”

In her first year as Superintendent, Dr. Costa has outlined six primary goals for the 2020-2021 school year at Hampton Public Schools: creating a clear, concise, open dialogue with all stakeholders; develop and maintain a clean, healthy, physically/emotionally safe learning environment; facilitate professional alignment in the curricula professional practice including instruction and assessment; develop an awareness of how equity/diversity impacts teaching and learning; move from remote learning back to brick and mortar learning (once public health data supports the transition); and to align resources to accomplish priorities within a balanced budget.

Superintendent Lois Costa

Dr. Costa has more than 30 years of experience as an instructional leader, and has been with the Hampton School District for 20 years.She joined the District as an assistant principal at the Adeline C. Marston School in 2000, and advanced to the position of Principal in 2008. She was named New Hampshire Elementary School Principal of the Year in 2014, and a Nationally Distinguished Principal that same year.

While Dr. Costa served as Principal, the Marston School was the recipient of the Hour of Code $10,000 Grant based on a commitment to technology and 21st century skills in December 2014, the school was named a Reward School in 2013 based on three years of growth on the NECAPS, the school received the “ED”ies Schools of Excellence Award in 2012 and was a finalist in 2007 and 2008, among other honors.

Since spring 2016, Dr. Costa has also served as an adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University teaching graduate students about education and leadership. She was appointed advisor to the 2016 Doctoral Cohort in Educational Leadership at SNHU. She also served as a clinical faculty member at Plymouth State University from 2005-2010 and as a grade three classroom teacher at the Reeds Ferry School in Merrimack from 1988-2000. While at Reeds Ferry, she served as a curriculum facilitator for five years as well. 

She is a founding member of both the Coalition for Healthy Options that Influence Children and Education and the Winnacunnet High School Endowment Foundation, as well as a certified coach through National Youth Sports Coaches Association for the Hampton Youth Association. She has previously served as a member of the Hampton Parent Teacher association, assists with the quarterly distribution of the Hampton Community Issues Coalition, and initiated the Marston Ski Club as well as the district’s Girls on the Run program.

Dr. Costa holds a doctor of education degree in Educational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University, a master’s degree in education from the University of New Hampshire and a bachelor’s degree in Family Consumer Studies and Early Education from the University of New Hampshire.

Hampton Academy Assistant Principal Bridget M. Hughes

Hughes joined the district in 2018 as a paraprofessional at the Centre School and became interim assistant principal at Hampton Academy in December 2019. Previously, she has served as a substitute teacher for SAU 50 and for office staff in Rye and Greenland, and she served as a Special Education Case Manager at Rye Junior High School for 13 years. For five years, she served as a special education case manager at Winnacunnet High School, as a crisis intervention specialist at Raymond High School for five years, as assistant coordinator/liaison for the Alternative Education Program at the Seacoast Learning Collaborative for approximately four years and a teacher in the program for one year. For three years, she also worked as a teacher at the Odyssey House School.

She holds a master’s in education degree in Counseling from Northeastern University, a bachelor’s in science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Fitchburg State and is currently enrolled in the certificate of advanced degree of study program in Educational Leadership at the University of New England.

“I have lived in Hampton and on the Seacoast since I was in my late 20s and consider it home,” Hughes said. “I absolutely love this job and am happy to be part of such an amazing team. I love this community and the kids, and am grateful for all of the support from the staff, parents and community at large.”

Adeline C. Marston School Principal Nathan Saddler

Saddler joined the District in 2013 as the assistant principal of the Marston School, and is the 2020-2021 New Hampshire Assistant Principal of the Year.

As assistant principal, he was a contributing member of the GROW Team as the school transitioned into a Trauma Sensitive School, assisted with curriculum development and instructional strategies, assisted in the development of the science curriculum and formation of performance based assessments in science using the Next Generation Science Standards, led the implementation of Math in Focus, worked with staff and administrators to develop a curriculum based on the Common Core Standards, assisted with daily school operations, consulted with counselors and the school Outreach Worker regarding at-risk students, and served as the chair of the Safe Routes to School Committee, the Substitute Committee and as the building coordinator for the implementation of the OLWEUS Bully Prevention Program, among other initiatives.

Prior to joining the District, he served as a third and fourth grade teacher at Rye Elementary School from 2011-2013 and as a third grade teacher at Lamprey River Elementary School for four years. He holds a master’s degree in education in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern New Hampshire University, a bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education from Champlain College and associate in science degree in Early Childhood Education from Champlain College. He has a New Hampshire Experienced Educator Certificate in Elementary Education with Highly Qualified Teacher Status, a New Hampshire Curriculum Administrator Certification and a New Hampshire Principal Certification.

Adeline C. Marston School Assistant Principal Kathleen Hoppa

Prior to joining the District, Hoppa was an assistant principal intern at the Reeds Ferry School in Merrimack from fall 2019 to summer 2020. She also served as a school counselor at Reeds Ferry from 2012 to 2020. She currently serves as the Elementary Vice President of the New Hampshire School Counselor Association Executive Board, where she has also served as the Professional Recognition Chair, Public Relations Chair and Merrimack Valley Representative. She holds a master’s degree in education in School Counseling and Guidance from the University of Arizona as well as a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. Hoppa also holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University, and holds a New Hampshire Principal Certification and New Hampshire School Counselor Certification.

Director of Student Services Lois C. DaSilva-Knapton

DaSilva-Knapton served as the Superintendent of Canterbury Public Schools in Canterbury, Connecticut from 2013-2019. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Special Education at Derby Public Schools for more than five years, an Educational Consultant for SAU 24 in Henniker in 2008, Director of Special Education in Newport for approximately five years and High School Principal/Middle School Assistant at Newport Middle High School from 2001-2003. She served as a Special Education Coordinator/teacher at Newport Middle High School for three years and as a special education teacher at Hillsboro-Deering High School for one year. 

She holds a doctorate in educational leadership, K-12, from Argosy University and a master’s degree in Special Education from Plymouth State College. She additionally holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from East Carolina University. She is a member of the CT Association of School Superintendents (CAPPS) and was a Board of Directors member for three years, previously served as the President of the NorthEast Association of School Superintendents, served for three years on the National Board of Directors for the William Glasser Institute, served as the NorthEast Region Chairperson for three years for the William Glasser Institute, served as Co-President of the ConnCASE Connecticut Council of Administrators of Special Educaitaon for two years and has served as vice president, president and past president of the New Hampshire Council of Exceptional Children. She has also acted as a basic intensive instructor for the William Glasser Institute.

For the latest updates, visit the district’s website here. 

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