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Bob Manseau was happy enough being voted “Kindest Teacher” by a student body — his “most cherished” moment in a long career packed with accolades. But his most recent honor is giving that title a run for its money.

Manseau, who graduated in 1972 from Lowell State College’s music education program and in 1985 from the Graduate School of Education’s educational administration program, was named the 2011 Charles A. Napoli Secondary School Principal of the Year by the New Hampshire Association of School Principals. 

“After serving 39 years in public education, this award meant a great deal to me,” says the principal of Campbell High School in Litchfield, N.H. “After working with literally thousands of students and their parents, as well as hundreds of colleagues, I consider the recognition a lifetime achievement award.”

Throughout all those years, Manseau says he’s felt grateful for the education he received at UMass Lowell. 

“I saw many colleagues enter the profession without the training I was so lucky to have received at Lowell,” he says. “Teachers went out of their way to make connections and form relationships with students. Also, the teacher training I received was practical and real-world oriented. Once in my first job, I saw how true that was.”