A well qualified candidate was passed over in the search for a new Superintendent of the Indiana Deaf School for reasons that are hard to fathom.
A graduate of ISD, David Geeslin has fulfilled various positions within the school over the past decade while pursuing advanced academic studies. I met David in 1991, the year before I left ISD to further my own education. He was an enthusiastic new member of the faculty and the bilingual-bicultural committee - a mixed group of Deaf and non-deaf teachers, administrators, and support staff who had worked through the often difficult and troubling historical issues of prejudice, discrimination, and distrust that unfortunately are endemic in many residential schools for the deaf.
I have always been grateful for my initiation into the Deaf community among such a wonderful group of committed people who were guided by an amazingly strong vision: to transform Deaf education from its centuries-old legacy of suppression (of sign language and therefore of deaf culture) to a contemporary model of linguistic equality and genuinely egalitarian relations among deaf and non-deaf peers. My life over the past decade has been shaped, in many ways, by the powerful and positive impact of participating in this group: it was proof that social justice is not only possible, but actually practical.
David, in my experience, has always been practical. I see that he will present a workshop on legislation this fall at the Indiana State Sign Language Interpreter`s conference. Obviously, he is aware of the need to work with institutional mechanisms to generate change. David´s activism extends to the federal level as well; he was already writing advocacy letters about telecommunications access to the FCC in 1998. He has also participated in a premier national research program, the Star Schools Project, a literacy program sponsored by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center and funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
Dealing with politics is an inevitable part of any leadership position. David has long been taking the risks of leadership necessary to open dialogue about sensitive subjects. A recent example is a panel discussion he co-facilitated at an ASL Literacy conference last year. Identified as a distinguished alum of Boston University, David was one of the co-authors of Indiana State legislation recognizing American Sign Language as a language on a par with spoken languages. Over the years at ISD, David has filled many positions, including elementary school principal and consultant to area educators serving deaf students in mainstreamed settings.
As I said, it´s hard for me to fathom how David was not selected, given the wide and deep range of experience, knowledge, and commitment he has demonstrated - consistently! - for over a decade. And I haven´t described his compassion, superb communication and advocacy skills, incredible natural intelligence, and continuous striving for excellence. Not only would he be an incredible role model for young deaf students of the State of Indiana, he has the kind of vision that could inspire a much wider audience - be it nationally, across ethnicities, among language groups.
I certainly hope there is some means for redress. While I´m sure the interim candidate is qualified, I would suggest that there is much more at stake here then the ability to manage. There is also the matter of motivation, of inspiration, of demonstrably proving that the vision of a truly just, equal, fair, and effective bilingual and bicultural education system can become reality.
Indiana Deaf News Readers,
Recently, Jerry Cooper sent a message asking you to share your disappointment that I was not selected for the superintendent position at the Indiana School for the Deaf. While I was obviously disappointed that I was not selected to fill the superintendent position at this time, I have been very grateful for the outpouring of support from both the state and national community.
Given the Board's decision not to offer the position to any of the existing candidates, I believe the Board’s selection of Cindy Lawrence to serve as interim superintendent was appropriate. ISD needs an interim leader to run the school until a superintendent is selected. Selecting the director of the outreach department, whether hearing or Deaf, was a logical choice because this department is primarily self-directed (with a cluster type of management requiring less need for direct supervision) and her absence will have the least negative impact on school operations.
Secondly, I have known Cindy Lawrence for fifteen years. Mrs. Lawrence has been with ISD through our transition to a bilingual/bicultural school. She supports the philosophy and mission of the school. She is a strong ally for the Indiana Deaf community and a faithful servant to our shared vision for our students. I fully support Mrs. Lawrence in this interim position.
I would ask you, members of our Deaf community, to freely and respectfully share your opinions with the Board about who you would like to lead ISD and educate our esteemed Board Members about the unique nature of Deaf education, but I would also ask you to support the Board’s decision for the interim appointment, as I do.
In a positive way, the application and interview process for the position of superintendent only served to increase my commitment to be an effective, knowledgeable and passionate leader in Deaf education.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
David Geeslin
Courage AND grace. I'm impressed.
David Geeslin is one of the top Deaf educators in the state of Indiana. I know. I have known him for the short time, but I know he is a great teacher, principal and Deaf leader.
I remembered both Ann Reifel and Wendy Whiting had explained how important ISD students need Deaf Leaders. David Geeslin is a perfect example.
Please continue to support David Geeslin for the top leader in ISD.
Thanks.