WESTFORD — Nabnasset School is getting a new principal.
As Susan DuBois leaves Nabnasset School for retirement, long-time Massachusetts teacher Nina Balfe will serve as Nabnasset’s next principal.
Balfe attended Endicott College for her undergraduate program, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. She then obtained a Master of Education in Special Education at American International College and completed a Principal Licensure Program through Curry College.
As a teacher, she taught students in kindergarten through second grade in Reading Public Schools between 2008 and 2018 and then for Middleton Public Schools from 2018 through the end of this school year.
“The fact that Nabnasset is [also] a PreK-2 school pulled me in immediately,” Balfe told WestfordCAT. “Our youngest learners are such a special population and I am so looking forward to being a part of the community.”
Balfe credits her first principal, Catherine Giles, as her inspiration for working with kids, whom she is “so grateful for.” Balfe notes that the two are still in touch to this day.
“She taught me so much of what I know. Cathy instilled the value of supporting the whole child and not only focussing on academics, but the social-emotional as well,” Balfe said.
Outside of the classroom, Balfe enjoys golfing and spending time on Cape Cod in Falmouth. Recently, she rediscovered her love of skiing and is looking forward to “a chance to get outside and be active in the winter.”
As for DuBois, she recently told Superintendent of Schools Christopher Chew and WestfordCAT that she is looking forward to “an awful lot of traveling.”
DuBois plans to travel to Italy during this fall where she will explore Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. Back in Westford, she will spend her time biking along local trails as well as skiing, gardening, and spending more time with her friends and family.
DuBois will remain at Nabnasset until July 1 and will assist Balfe during their transition.
“Thank you to Principal DuBois who has been truly amazing and so supportive of me as I begin this new role,” said Balfe. “I look forward to working alongside her this summer during the onboarding process. The Nabnasset was so lucky to have her as their leader.”
Staff writer Aubrey Benoit assisted with the reporting on this piece.
