[Nfbwv-talk] WVSDB News Release

[debbi williamson]

document as a participant on the search committee I can tell you that we interviewed five people. Three of the five had experience in deafness. One had experience in blindness. This person was not my first choice but I was outvoted.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 21, 2015, at 4:12 PM, Sheri Koch via Nfbwv-talk <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> This is an interesting choice. I see Dr. Keller has a very strong background in deafness but not blindness. It will be interesting to see in what direction the school for the blind will go. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Aug 21, 2015, at 4:03 PM, Smyth, Charlene R via Nfbwv-talk <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
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>> August 21, 2015
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>> New Superintendent Named for the West Virginia
>> Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
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>> [cid:image001.jpg at 01D0DC2A.F55CC820]
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>> CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) voted unanimously during a special meeting Friday to hire Dr. Martin Keller, Jr. as the new superintendent for the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
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>> Keller replaces Dr. Lynn Boyer, who announced her retirement earlier this year. Keller will assume his new role on September 16, 2015. An Indiana native, Keller currently serves as principal at the Indiana School for the Deaf. He holds a doctorate in Deaf Education/Deaf Studies from Lamar University and three advanced degrees including an Educational Specialist degree in Change Leadership from Gallaudet University, a master's degree in Deaf Education from McDaniel College and a master's degree in Educational Administration from Xavier University.
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>> Keller said he is optimistic about the future of the school and hopes his work will be an inspiration to deaf, hard of hearing and visually impaired students. "My leadership style has always been student-centered and I look forward to the opportunity to build on the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind's tradition of developing its students into the leaders of tomorrow," Keller said Friday following the WVBE vote.
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>> Keller has worked with diverse groups of deaf and hard of hearing individuals for more than 16 years, including 14 years as an administrator managing student service programs, both at the elementary and secondary school levels.
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>> "Dr. Keller brings innovative ideas, strong leadership skills and a highly effective management style which I believe will take the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind to the next level," said Gayle Manchin, chair of the hiring committee and immediate past president of the WVBE. "I am confident in his ability to outline a comprehensive strategic plan that will prepare students for the 21st century world of work."
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>> Established in 1870, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind is located in Romney, W.Va. The school is designed to meet the special needs of children with hearing disabilities, visual disabilities or those with combined hearing and visual losses.
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>> For additional information, contact Kristin Anderson at the WVDE Office of Communications at 304-558-2699 or Kristin.Anderson at k12.wv.us<mailto:Kristin.Anderson at k12.wv.us>.
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>> Be sure to follow us on Facebook<https://facebook.com/wveducation>, Twitter<http://twitter.com/WVeducation>, and Google+<https://plus.google.com/118257220084709321107/>.
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>> Here is a little more information I obtained on Superintendent Keller:
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>> Dr. Martin P. Keller, Jr., has accepted the position.  Dr. Keller has worked in the field of Deaf Education for 20 years, the last 14 years as principal at several state schools for the deaf across the nation, most recently as the high school and middle school principal at the Indiana School for the Deaf.  Dr. Keller comes from an all Deaf-family of 10 and has received his doctoral degree in Deaf Education/Deaf Studies from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.  His passions include biking, working out, hiking, and the Green Bay Packers.  We look forward to his leadership for academics, instruction, campus-wide coordination and statewide collaboration.
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