Sunday | February 26, 2006

Seeking Qualified Administrator!

Time has arrived!  Lansing finally posted a long awaited position!  "State
Administrative Manager" which is equivalent to "Superintendent" for Michigan School for the Deaf! 

One major concern is that the standard requirements aren't exactly of high caliber--the position, which oversees the Principal- requires only a B.A., whereas a Principal is required to have a M.A.

However, this also means opportunities for young leaders to take on the reins
with fresh ideas and energy.

Hiring an unqualified administrator will only make the struggle for quality education even more difficult.

For this reason, we need to do two things:

1.      Identify a qualified* individual who has a thick skin and is ready
to take on the challenge of transforming MSD into a Model school for all Deaf programs in Michigan to follow THEN personally encourage that person to apply!

2.      Email Dr. Jeremy Hughes and Dr. Jackie Thompson at
HughesJ@michigan.gov, ThompsonJJ@michigan.gov and tell them what kind of Administrator they should look for.

*Requirements (not preference) of a qualified Administrator for a Deaf
school (MSD):
- Fluency in American Sign Language (Superior Plus on the SCPI)
- Administrative experience in K-12
- Sensitivity and respect for Deaf Culture and Diversity
- Demonstrates professionalism and strong skills of supervision (feedback, mediation, documentation, organization, prompt with duties).

At this point in time, an interim person has been offered the job. This was done around the same time as the job was posted, indicating that they already have someone they want for the position and are posting the job only as a formality. This is an example of unprofessionalism and lack of effort to bring in the best for the school.

The interim person is, to our relief, a good choice. She is a good signer and has conducted herself in a professional manner in the past. She will be able to compete very well with other qualified individuals.

And so, while we are comfortable with the current interim manager, we want people to apply. It is essential that MSD has the best possible leadership and role model at this point in time. Healthy competition and a fair selection process will ensure this outcome.

Good luck to all candidates!!!

If you can't open below - go to www.michigan.gov.  Click on State Employment and look for Flint and State Administrative Manager 15

Position Information

 

 

The State of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 

Date Posted:

2/21/2006

 

Deadline for Response:

3/21/2006

 

Job Title:

STATE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER 15
Click on the above Job Title to view the Job Specification.

 

Occupational Group:

Executive and Administrative Occupations

 

State Agency:

Education

 

Job Posting #:

6205

 

Position Is Open To:

All Applicants

 

City:

Flint

 

County:

GENESEE

 

Type of Employment:

Full-time

 

Pay:

$60,084 to $86,425

 

Union:

Non-Union

 

Brief Job Description:

The Michigan Schools for the Deaf and Blind provide residential and educational programs and services for students who are deaf or hearing impaired and outreach services for students who are blind or visually impaired and in other low incidence programs. This position oversees all functions of the MSDB campus including direct programs and services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, statewide outreach services to students who are blind or visually impaired, campus central office functions, and facility maintenance. Currently, there are over 150 students enrolled in MSD, approximately 85 of those students live in the onsite dormitory from Sunday night through noon on Friday. Additionally, the campus administrator is ultimately responsible for 90 Civil Service employees and numerous contractors.

 

Other Job Information:

Some travel may be required.

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Education Required:

Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.
Preferred: Masters degree in deaf education and/or degree in educational administration.

 

Minimum Experience Required:

Two years of professional experience equivalent in responsibility to the P11 level or one year of professional experience equivalent in responsibility to the 12 level.

Preferred: A variety of school district experience in the delivery of programs and services for students with disabilities, including administrative experience in special education at local or intermediate school district(s).

 

Other Job Requirements:

Civil Service Rule 2-7 requires that all newly hired state employees submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test prior to their actual appointment.

Preferred: Approval in Michigan as Supervisor or Director of Special Education.

Preferred: The ability to communicate using American Sign Language as prescribed and measured by the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview process administered by MSDB.

 

How To Apply:

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING WHEN APPLYING FOR VACANCIES:
Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the department for further consideration.

If you are a veteran, surviving spouse of a veteran who has been discharged within the last five years, or spouse of a disabled veteran, please indicate this information at the top of your resume when you submit it to us.
Click here to obtain more information about Veterans' Preference.

 

Send cover letter, completed employment application (see link above), resume, photocopy of official college transcripts, and copy of Michigan approval as Supervisor or Director of Special Education (if applicable) to:

Marilyn Fisher
Michigan Department of Education
Office of Human Resources
P.O. Box 30008
Lansing, MI 48909

Failure to provide all requested documentation may result in elimination from the competitive process. Please identify in your cover letter whether you have the ability to communicate using American Sign Language, and refer to Job. No. 6205.

 


A request for special accommodation to participate in the interview process should be made at the time you are contacted to schedule the interview.

 

 

Posted by Moderator at 18:38:06 | Permanent Link | Comments (132) |

Thursday | February 16, 2006

MSD's Priorities?

It appears that at this point in time MSD will not be sending staff to CAEBER.  They cite insufficient willing, qualified staff.  We are even more concerned now about where the state of Deaf Education lies in their spectrum of priorities.
Posted by Moderator at 21:13:58 | Permanent Link | Comments (149) |

Sunday | February 12, 2006

Letter # 3 to Dr. Jeremy Hughes

Dear Dr. Hughes,

We understand there has been some recent movement in establishing the referent
group. Although it has taken quite a bit of time, we are happy to see this
recent action take place.

In the meantime, we have a few concerns relating to the neutrality of
facilitators and impartiality in selecting participants to attend the Referent
Group meetings.

We do not feel Jacque Thompson is the appropriate choice of a facilitator. She
has been directly involved with some situations at MSD and has what seems like a
very close relationship with Ms. Steenwyk- resulting in some distrust among the
community in her ability to facilitate. In addition, Ms. Thompson does not have
any knowledge of issues pertaining to the deaf community and should you decide
to allow her to facilitate we would like to suggest a Deaf co-facilitator to
maintain the balance in the room.
 
We also have some concerns about how the selection of people came about. We are
being informed that on February 8th, Ms. Thompson met with a “core group” from
MSD and discussed recommendations on whom to invite. The fact that Ms. Thompson
met with MSD staff and alumni but not with us leaves much to be desired in terms
of confidence that this process will be a successful one.
  
As always, we appreciate the time you are putting into ensuring that all
parties have the opportunity for input and that the state of Deaf Education in
Michigan begins its upward climb from the chasm of darkness.
 
Please be aware that we are an organized body and we continue to closely
monitor the progress of this group and other demands previously made. Should we
feel that the injustice that has so long disabled our community continues to do
so, we will stage another peaceful protest.

Thank you,
Ryan k. Commerson
Alison L. Aubrecht
Posted by Moderator at 23:51:59 | Permanent Link | Comments (16) |

Funds for CAEBER

We were very recently informed that tomorrow is the deadline for MSD to express a written commitment to send two teachers to New Mexico School for the Deaf for their summer ASL/English Professional Development program (Star Schools Project).  

We also learned that there might not be enough funds to cover the expenses necessary to make the commitment.  In a response to this problem, we sent a staff member at MSD an email offering to cover the remaining balance to ensure a total commitment on MSD's part.  

We have received confirmation that the Principal Cecelia Winkler is aware of our offer. We are hoping that she will accept the offer and follow through with the verbal promise she made that she will send two teachers to CAEBER and attend the Gallaudet Leadership Institute with two other administrators this summer.

If you feel- as we do- that it is imperative that training be sought this summer to ensure speedy follow ups over the next year, you may help us by contacting Ceceila Winkler/MSD and encourage her to follow through and move forward to changes that will grant the students and staff a full access to ASL/English on campus.  

Email: winklerc1@mi.gov

Phone numbers: (800) 622-6730 v/tty    or,
                                (810) 257-1400 v/tty

Posted by Moderator at 23:48:38 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |