Leadership Team

William Van Bennekum

Principal

wvanbennekum@londonderry.org

603-432-6925 ext. 3300

Mr. William Van Bennekum will begin his fifth year as 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. 

David Sutherland

Assistant Principal - Grade 8

dsutherland@londonderry.org

603-432-6925 ext. 3277


Mr. David Sutherland will begin his 11th year as an Assistant Principal of 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.

Abbey Sloper

Assistant Principal - Grade 6 & 7

asloper@londonderry.org

603-432-6925 ext. 3177



Mrs. Abbey Sloper joins the Londonderry Middle School team after serving as the House 1 Assistant Principal at Londonderry High School since 2014. Mrs. Sloper is excited to join the LMS Building Leadership Team and eager to begin working with a dedicated staff and support middle-level students and their families. Before joining Londonderry, Mrs. Sloper served the   Hudson, NH, and Worcester, MA, communities as an assistant principal, social studies teacher, National Honor Society, class advisor, and track and field coach. 

 

Mrs. Sloper brings a wide range of educational experience, earning her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Southern Maine, where she is a current record holder for the women's track and field team. After moving to NH in 2008, Mrs. Sloper earned a Master's in Educational Administration from Rivier University in 2013; she earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Competency-Based Education through SNHU in 2021. Motivated by best practices and a leadership style rooted in service, Mrs. Sloper just completed her first year of doctoral work at SNHU, where she is currently studying educational leadership. 

 

As a proud resident of Londonderry, Mrs. Sloper lives with her husband, Steve, and their son Jack who will join Mrs. Sloper at LMS in the fall! On most weekends, you can spot Mrs. Sloper on the sidelines watching her son play football or, in her natural habitat, the waters of the National Seashore on Cape Cod. 


Meaghan Nason

Curriculum Coordinator

mnason@londonderry.org

603-432-6925 ext. 3140


Mrs. Meaghan Nason will begin her third year as 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.  

Phyllis Donaldson

Special Education Program Director

pdonaldson@londonderry.org

603-432-6925 ext. 3002


Mrs. Phyllis Donaldson joins the Londonderry Middle School administrative team after serving as a Special Education teacher/case manager at LMS for the past 21 years. Before that, she was a paraprofessional at LMS for four years. Mrs. Donaldson is excited to join the LMS Building Leadership Team and looks forward to working in her new role. 

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.