Acting AKSD Supervisor Selected
The Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AKSD) is pleased to announce that Clara Baldwin has been selected to serve as Acting AKSD Supervisor and Tarlesha Wayne, the Senior Director of Special Education at the Anchorage School District (ASD) will serve as the Acting AKSD Director from August 2021 to June 2022. The selection process was guided by Innivee Strategies, Inc., a Deaf-owned and led organizational and leadership development company.
The Acting AKSD Supervisor search committee recommended Ms. Baldwin based on her understanding of the school’s communication and language philosophy, her familiarity with the school’s goals and challenges, and her high expectations and objectives for the coming school year. The search committee included AKSD staff, parents, and Deaf community stakeholders. Tarlesha Wayne, Senior Director of Special Education at Anchorage School District, said, “Ms. Baldwin is well-respected by the AKSD community and is the right person to help lead AKSD through the 2021-2022 Alaska School for the Deaf academic year.”
Relationship First Philosophy
“I’m thrilled and honored to be entrusted with this leadership role,” said Clara Baldwin. “I am committed to implementing the ‘relationship first’ philosophy while serving our existing staff, stakeholders, and students and their families, as well as expanding our reach to support Deaf students in rural areas throughout the state. I am also eager to work with the leadership team at Anchorage School District as a Deaf individual, creating more opportunities to elevate ASD’s understanding of Deaf culture.”
Ms. Baldwin will support Ms. Wayne by building the morale of AKSD through opportunities for empowerment, increasing collaboration with school principals and student teams, coaching and mentoring teachers and support staff, and making deeper connections within the deaf community to enhance the possibilities of our students.
A Fantastic Role Model
“The search committee was duly impressed by Clara’s vision and passion for AKSD,” said Jennifer Gates, AKSD Search Chair. “I have full confidence that AKSD will continue to thrive under Clara’s leadership. She is a fantastic role model for students, staff, and leaders nationwide.”
Shane Feldman, CEO of Innivee Strategies, Inc. said, “We want to thank Tarlesha Wayne and the Anchorage School District for collaborating with our company with the search process for the AKSD Director and then engaging our company and the search committee to determine the acting leadership plans and selection process that led to Clara Baldwin’s appointment as Acting AKSD Supervisor. Tarlesha and Clara are remarkable leaders and we look forward to their partnership in creating successful outcomes for AKSD’s students, staff, and families.”
For more information about the Alaska School for the Deaf and its leadership, please contact Tarlesha Wayne at [email protected] or [email protected].
Update on Anchorage School District’s Sensory Services
Initially housed under the Director of AKSDHH and Sensory Services, the Anchorage School District’s Sensory Services, which includes the Hard of Hearing Program, is now overseen by the new Director of Related Services, Sensory Services, and Behavior Supports, Dr. Brad Hoyt. This decision was made after careful consideration and input from many of our Hard of Hearing and sensory services team members. Brad comes with a wealth of experience from multiple states including Alaska and overseas. He also has a passion for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities and will be great in leading the work we do for students and supporting our staff. “We are excited to have Brad’s experience and collaborative approach to strengthen our leadership team and provide another layer of support to students, staff, and families,” said Tarlesha Wayne, Senior Director of Special Education.
For more information about the Hard of Hearing, Blind and Visually Impaired, Audiology, and Assistive Technology services, please contact Dr. Brad Hoyt at [email protected].
About Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Sensory Services
Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a state and a local organization that provides services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing population of the state of Alaska with services that meet their unique needs based on a continuum of educational and therapeutic services. There are five Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Sensory Services programs: Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Blind and Visually Impaired Services, Audiology Services, Assistive Technology, and Alaska Deaf and Hard of Hearing Statewide Services. Alaska State School for the Deaf and Sensory Services is located in Anchorage, AK, and provides support for all DHH students who are in self-contained classrooms or are fully mainstreamed in general education classrooms.
About Innivee Strategies, Inc.
Innivee Strategies provides a systemic framework for organizations to facilitate a strong strategic direction toward the desired vision. Our services include Executive Search & Transition, Governance Training & Consulting, Strategic Planning, Executive Support Systems, Leadership Development, and Guided Facilitation. Please visit our website at www.innivee.com to learn about our clients and their testimonies about how our services have benefited their organizations.
