St. Mary's School for the Deaf Superintendent Community Forum
-
Announcement by Brian D. Knauth, Chairperson of St. Mary’s Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Board:
St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Announces Final Candidates for Superintendent Position
The Superintendent Search Committee for St. Mary’s School for the Deaf has screened and interviewed applicants for the Superintendent position. The Search Committee narrowed the search to two candidates who will move forward to the next phase.
On April 23 and 24, 2024, the Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Search Committee, will invite each final candidate, individually, to campus for a campus tour, and a full day of meetings and activities culminating in a Public Forum with the St. Mary’s Community. The Public Forums are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, 2253 Main Street Buffalo, New York 14214. The Forums give the Community an exciting opportunity to meet the candidates, hear each candidate speak, and ask questions of each candidate. This is an important step in the search process and to further ensure that St. Mary’s finds a candidate that is the right fit for St. Mary’s School for the Deaf.
The Board plans to name the new Superintendent in May after final interviews with the Board.
The final two candidates, with dates on campus, are, in alphabetical order:
- Ms. Aimee Bell, April 24, 2024, and
- Mr. Chris Kaftan, April 23, 2024.
Itinerary for Candidate’s Day on Campus and Public:
9:00 a.m.
Arrive on campus. Greeted by Co-Chairs of Search Committee, Dr. Catherine M. Griswold, and Mr. Jacob Leffler. Introduction to current Superintendent, Mr. Tim Kelly
9:15 a.m.
Meet with interpreters
10:00 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m.
Tour of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf with Co-Chairs and Superintendent, Mr. Tim Kelly
11:45 a.m.
Lunch with Jr. NAD Leaders
1:00 p.m.
Meet and greet with St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Students
2:30 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m.
Depart campus for dinner with Mr. Tim Kelly, Co-Chairs, Board Member Dr. Christopher Kerr. 2 interpreters
6:00 p.m.
Public Open Town Hall Forum
Following each Forum, Community members are also invited to provide feedback about the candidate, which will be collected in person and through online candidate surveys. Surveys will be open until 9 a.m. on the morning after the Forum.
Thank you,
Brian D. Knauth, Board Chair
St. Mary’s School for the Deaf Board of Trustees
-
Ms. Aimee Bell
Aimee Bell, M.Ed. is currently Associate Principal of the Secondary Department at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf (SMSD). She has over 16 years of experience in the field of Deaf Education. She obtained her Master of Education degree in Deaf Education with a concentration in Educational Policy from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2008, and will complete a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Canisius University this May.
A native Western New York resident, Aimee returned to Buffalo following her graduate studies in NYC. Her career has led her to have the following opportunities prior to working as principal at SMSD: Teacher Assistant and later Teacher at St. Francis School for the Deaf in Brooklyn; Teacher of the Deaf and Math Teacher at SMSD; ASL Instructor at Erie Community College, Genesee Community College, Niagara University, and Villa Maria College; Adjunct Professor in the Canisius College Deaf Education Program, and Video Relay Interpreter at Sorenson Communications.
Aimee, her husband, and their son live in Amherst, N.Y.
-
Mr. Christopher Kaftan
A native New Yorker, Christopher Kaftan has spent more than two decades in Deaf Education. Chris began his career as a high school Social Studies teacher at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf. Chris then became the Director of Curriculum & Instruction at Maryland School for the Deaf and the Secondary Principal at the Marie Philip School. Chris is currently the Director of Student Services at The Learning Center for the Deaf in Massachusetts. Throughout his career, Chris has demonstrated a deep understanding of school structure and operations.
Since starting his career, Chris has focused on putting inclusion and innovation at the forefront of his values and actions. Chris is known for his unrelenting advocacy and commitment to ensuring all Deaf and hard of hearing children are given an equitable and excellent education. In all his positions, he has focused on operational excellence, ensuring resources flow to classrooms, and supporting teachers and students.
Chris graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor’s in history and secondary education and a master’s degree in Deaf Education. Chris received a graduate certificate in special education administration from Johns Hopkins University. A father of two children and a deaf dog, Chris is passionate about the outdoors, his books, and doing woodcraft projects.
Event Type: Community Events