2026 Workshop Host: Dr. Lois Costa

Dr. Lois Costa is a New Hampshire native who grew up in Nashua. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of New Hampshire and began her career teaching third grade at Reeds Ferry School in Merrimack, where she taught for twelve years.

After completing her administrative certification at Rivier University, Dr. Costa joined the Hampton School District as assistant principal of Adeline C. Marston School. She has served the district for 26 years, including 11 years as principal and the past six years as superintendent. During her leadership at Marston School, the school was named an Elementary School of Excellence in 2012. She also served on the state EDies board for 20 years. In 2014, she was named Principal of the Year and participated in the Lifetouch Memory Mission, helping build a school in the Dominican Republic.

In 2016, Dr. Costa earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University, where her research focused on school climate, leadership, and student achievement. She is passionate about building relationships and fostering positive school communities.

Dr. Costa lives in Hampton, New Hampshire, with her husband and their two rescue dogs. She is the proud mother of two daughters who both work in education and communications fields and are continuing to make meaningful impacts in their communities.

Workshop 2

Decoding the Digital Shift: Leading the Anxious Generation

This workshop will leverage Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation to provide us with a deeper understanding of the mental health crisis facing Generation Z (born roughly 1996-2012) and to explore how we, as leaders and mentors, can foster a more resilient, focused, and emotionally healthy environment. The “Great Rewiring of Childhood “occurred between 2010 and 2015 and marked two significant changes. They include the decline of play-based learning and the rise of the virtual world.