A North Country native and longtime Bow resident, Muriel dedicated her journey to enriching the lives of others. Prior to retiring, Muriel taught at Bow Memorial School for 32 years, during which times she was recognized for excellence in education, leadership, advocacy, and community service at the local, state, and national levels.

After attending Groveton schools, Muriel earned an Associate of Arts degree in Foreign Languages at Mt. San Antonio College, a B.S. degree in Elementary Education at Keene State College, and a Master's Degree in Computer Technology at Plymouth State University.

Upon her 2019 retirement, Muriel had spent four decades in the classroom, teaching over 4,000 young Granite Staters. During her 32 years at Bow Memorial School, she taught special education, mathematics, and computer literacy. Muriel also served as an adjunct professor teaching graduate-level technology courses for Plymouth State University. 

Muriel is a proud lifetime member of the National Education Association, the nation's largest professional employee organization. At the state level, Muriel served on the NEA-NH Board of Directors and currently is a member of NEA-NH’s Government Relations Committee. At the local level, she served as president and as negotiations chair of the Bow EA for more than a decade.

Muriel’s teaching career also had an international flavor, from her student teaching days in Bath, England to her study of Australian 'maths' in Melbourne, Australia. She partnered with the N.H. National Guard in El Salvador to bring technology to underprivileged school children and also traveled to South Africa to study wildlife tracking and ecology.

Currently a N.H. legislator representing Bow and Hopkinton, Muriel serves as the Deputy Ranking Member on the House of Representatives’ Education Policy & Administration Committee. Muriel’s recognitions include:

• 2024 Legislator Nutrition Equity Champion Award

• 2022 NEA-NH Friend of Education Award

• 2019 Bow Rotary Vocational Service Award

• 2019 NH EDies for Excellence in Computer Technology Education

• 2018 NHSTE Pat Keyes Technology-Using Educator Award

• 2015 NEA-NH Christa McAuliffe Leadership Award

• 2010 The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Program Finalist, Washington, DC

• 2007 NEA-NH TREA Award for “Outstanding Contributions to Collective Bargaining & Advocacy for Members”

• 2002 Teacher of the Year: NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence–represented all NH teachers in Washington, DC

“It is truly an honor to be the recipient of the inaugural D. Chandler Matthews GHSAA Recognition Award. Growing up in the North Country was a privilege–a life filled with strong family, school, and community ties. To be selected among others who have brought such honor to GHS is humbling. In 1970, my senior superlative was “most school spirit,” Some things never change!” – Muriel Cotter Hall