Leadership Team

Mr. William Van Bennekum is the Principal of Londonderry Middle School. He began as a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Great Bridge Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia. After serving as a sixth-grade teacher, boys basketball coach, and Athletic Director for seven years and completing his Master’s Degree in School Administration, he moved from the classroom to Assistant Principal, where he served eight years with the Chesapeake City Public Schools.

In 2007, he returned to his home state of N.H., as the Principal of Holderness Central School, in SAU #48, and with his family settled in Gilford, where he grew up and graduated from high school. He served the town of Holderness and the families for twelve years as the Principal. He continued his education at Plymouth State University, earning a Certificate of Graduate Studies from Plymouth State University and a K-12 Superintendent Certificate. In 2019, he was offered the opportunity to become the Principal of Londonderry Middle School and work for one of New Hampshire's largest and finest school districts. As an experienced middle-school educator, his passion for working with students and supporting families as they navigate the middle years continues to be at the forefront of his leadership.

 Mr. Van Bennekum is a graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, earning his B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in Education Administration. He has two children. Nicholas is a graduate of the SUNY- Environmental Science and Forestry School @ Syracuse and is an Assistant Superintendent for Consigli Construction Company. His daughter Kaitlyn is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and the University of New Hampshire. She will begin her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist for the Belmont School District in the fall. William is married to Cathy, a lifelong educator, and currently the District Coordinator of Curriculum, Assessment, and intervention for the Winnisquam School District. 

Mr. David Sutherland is the Londonderry Middle School.  Mr. Sutherland's career in education started after he determined that being a software and hardware quality assurance manager was not fulfilling.  He had earned an undergraduate degree in Business and Management Information Systems from Northeastern University and thought that the computer industry was where he wanted to spend his time.  However, he left that field to pursue being an educator.  

He started his educational career at a charter school in Malden, Massachusetts, and while working as a teaching assistant, he pursued a  Graduate Degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Upon completing his degree, he entered the classroom as a 6th-grade general education teacher and Lead teacher, and after three years in that position, he left the public charter school environment and worked as a 6th-grade Science Teacher at the Rupert A. Nock Middle School in Newburyport.

He married his wife, Leah, and in 2007 they decided to purchase a home in Londonderry, closer to his new teaching job in Bedford, N.H., at  McKelvie Intermediate School as a sixth-grade Math, Science, and Social Studies teacher.  While teaching sixth grade, he enrolled at Rivier University and earned an advanced degree and Principal Certification.  After five years, David decided to move into a leadership position. In 2012, he took a position as an  Assistant Principal in the Allenstown School District, and after serving a year, an opportunity became available in Londonderry at the Middle School, where he jumped at the chance to work for the school district and his hometown. Since joining the Londonderry Middle School in 2013, he earned his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Competency-Based Education through SNHU in 2021

Dave is proud to be a part of the Londonderry community and serve the families as the assistant principal of Londonderry Middle School and enjoys working, living, and raising his two daughters in a close-knit community. Dave is an active community member and can be seen on the sports fields, where he enjoys watching his two daughters, Jordan and Reese, play softball, soccer, and volleyball. When they aren't on the sports fields, he enjoys fishing with his kids and other recreational activities with his family, such as camping, hiking, and mountain biking.   

Working with such a talented and dedicated group of educators is a privilege, and he enjoys going to work every day to help the staff and students be the best they can be.

Mr. MacArthur is excited and honored to serve as the Assistant Principal for Grade 6 at Londonderry Middle School. His ongoing goal is to collaborate with parents and staff to enhance and prepare students to be active, educated, and productive citizens.

Mr. MacArthur and his wife, Gina, currently reside in Hooksett, NH. They love living in New England and enjoy spending their summers visiting the Seacoast area, especially in downtown Portsmouth. They have one son, Jonah, who is currently beginning his sophomore year as a Lancer at Londonderry High School. Mr. MacArthur's hobbies include spending time with family and friends, making music, and anything automotive. He also loves to unwind by kayaking, traveling (Aruba being a favorite), and attending concerts.

Originally from Salem, NH, Mr. MacArthur comes from a family of educators. Both his parents are retired teachers, and his sister is also a teacher. They often joke that education is their family business! Mr. MacArthur earned his undergraduate degree in music education from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. After graduating, he worked for three years in North Andover, Massachusetts, at North Andover Middle School as a music teacher and band director. In 2003, he accepted a position as director of instrumental music and music teacher at Milford Middle School in Milford, New Hampshire. During this time, he helped build the music program, hosted and attended music festivals with his students, and chaired the NHMEA Southwest Music Festival. 

In 2008, he earned his Master of Education in educational administration from Rivier College, which enabled his next career move to SAU#24, where he served as assistant principal at Weare Middle School for four years. Before his position at LMS, he was the principal of Boynton Middle School in New Ipswich, NH, for two years, and the principal of Alton Central School for the past seven years.  Mr. MacArthur is currently completing his doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University.

Mr. MacArthur believes in respect, responsibility, and positive relationships both inside and outside of the school walls. He is a firm believer in strengths based leadership, having a growth mindset, and restorative practices.  He looks forward to working closely with the students, staff, and Londonderry community!

Mr. Tim Westphal brings nearly 25 years of experience in education, including the last five years as an Assistant Principal. 

He has a profound commitment to fostering positive relationships with all members of the school community. He firmly believes that these relationships are pivotal in unlocking human potential and improving student outcomes. His extensive experience as a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, classroom instructor and now as an administrator, has taught him that forming positive relationships in education is a transformative force.

As Assistant Principal, Mr. Westphal's primary goal is to ensure that each student feels safe, valued, and respected, enabling them to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. He is dedicated to creating an environment that encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and personal growth. His commitment to partnering with staff, students, and families is unwavering, as he strives to ensure every student is engaged, progressing, and ultimately successful.  To this end, he invites you to share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns with him, as he values your input and partnership. 

Tim lives in Manchester and has been married to his lovely wife, JoAnna, since 201, together they have one child, Giovanni, who loves to swim and play soccer.

Mrs. Meaghan Nason is the Curriculum Coordinator at Londonderry Middle School. She is excited for this year to continue to build the LMS collaborative practices and focus on academic growth and enrichment.  Mrs. Nason's educational experience began in the cities of Lowell and Lawrence, MA, where she taught middle school science, reading and English.  Before leaving the city of Lawrence, Meaghan also worked as a Literacy Coach at both the elementary and middle school levels. Mrs. Nason joined the Londonderry Middle School staff working as a Reading and Writing Specialist.  Her role focused on growing our literacy practices and using data and assessment to inform our educational practices.  

Mrs. Nason received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire, with a minor in Education.  She also received a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.  

Mrs. Nason resides in Salem, NH with her husband, Jimmy and two sons.  You can often find her on the sidelines, fields and gyms watching her sons play football, baseball and basketball.  When she is not cheering at a game, Mrs. Nason enjoys spending time with her family, friends and two bulldogs.  

Mrs. Phyllis Donaldson is the Special Education Coordinator at LMS. Before that, she was a case manager and paraprofessional at LMS. 

Mrs. Donaldson earned her bachelor's degree in behavioral science while her children were in middle school. She also received her General Special Education Certification, in addition to a master's degree in education, from Plymouth State University in 2008. She completed her Special Education Administration certification in 2011. In 2019, she furthered her education by earning advanced certification in emotional and behavioral disabilities from Granite State College. 

Mrs. Donaldson is a resident of Londonderry and has been for over 25 years.  She and her husband raised three children who are now grown and living in different parts of the country. Their oldest daughter lives in the San Diego area, their middle daughter lives in North Carolina, while their son and daughter-in-law live nearby, allowing them to enjoy many weekends with their 4-year-old grandson.