Principal

Message from Alisha Hansen-Proulx

Dear Birch Hill Elementary School Families,

I hope this message finds you well and that your summer has brought rest, joy, and time to recharge for the exciting school year ahead.

It is a true honor to introduce myself as the new principal of Birch Hill Elementary School. I’ve already begun connecting with our amazing PTO and look forward to meeting more of the caring families that make this Nashua community so special. Together, we will create lasting memories, build exceptional learning experiences for every student, and continue to grow as a unified school community.

I’m also thrilled to welcome Sarah Caouette as our new Assistant Principal. Sarah joins us from Mt. Pleasant Elementary School, where she served in the same role. She brings with her a wealth of experience, deep compassion, and a strong commitment to supporting both students and staff. She is a thoughtful and dedicated educator, and we are truly fortunate to have her on our leadership team. You’ll find her introduction included in this newsletter—I encourage you to take a moment to read it and get to know her.

With more than 25 years in education, I bring to Birch Hill a deep commitment to students and families, a love of learning, and a passion for academic excellence and problem-solving. I began my career as a kindergarten teacher, worked with physically and mentally disabled adults at the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Program, and later became a middle school English teacher—a role I held for 13 years. For the past nine years, I’ve served in elementary administration. I also hold two master’s degrees in education and administrative leadership, and firmly believe that all students want to succeed—and with the right support, they can.

On a personal note, I’m the proud parent of three children: my twin daughters are 23 and college graduates, and my son is a high school senior. At home, we share our lives with three dogs and three cats—our beloved rescues. I enjoy traveling, swimming, gardening, skiing, and golfing with my family in my free time.

At Birch Hill, we prioritize what is best for kids by emphasizing academic achievement, behavioral growth, and social-emotional development. I am excited to partner with you and our staff to uphold and further our school’s mission and vision. To promote transparency and collaboration, I’ve created a Principal Entry Plan that outlines my goals and focus areas for the year. You can view the full plan by clicking here.

The elementary years are the foundation for lifelong learning. I look forward to partnering with you to ensure a joyful, successful school year for every student. Please don’t hesitate to say hello in the coming weeks, and feel free to reach out to me at hansena@nashua.edu if you’d like to connect further.

I am truly honored to be part of the Birch Hill family and can’t wait to see all we’ll accomplish together.

Warmly,
Alisha Hansen-Proulx
Principal
Birch Hill Elementary School