Ligia Noriega-Murphy Takes Over As Malden Superintendent

MALDEN, MA — Malden's new superintendent of schools officially assumed her role July 1. Ligia Noriega-Murphy comes to Malden with 26 years of experience in the Boston Public Schools as a teacher, department leader, principal and assistant superintendent.

Noriega-Murphy was selected by the School Committee in March. She succeeded John Oteri, who did not seek a contract renewal at the end of the school year.

Noriega-Murphy said she is excited to lead the district, citing its diversity, the opportunity to build on the feeling of community and the chance to strengthen teaching and learning. She prides herself on finding and providing tools for students to succeed.

Noriega-Murphy previously served as the assistant superintendent on assignment as the K-8 Jackson Mann Principal in Boston. She began her career as a Spanish teacher at the Donald McKay Middle School in Boston before chairing the world languages department at the Boston Arts Academy, which she also helped found.

In 2004, Noriega-Murphy became headmaster of Excel High School in South Boston, a role she maintained for six years before being named assistant academic superintendent for high schools. She later served as an assistant superintendent on assignment as headmaster of The English High School in Boston.

She holds a bachelor of arts in art history from UMass Boston, a master's in management from Cambridge College and a certificate of graduate study in education leadership from UMass Boston.