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Big News
KSD AB Letter to Families (2022-2023)
Jarod Mills
 

Dear KSD Families,

  Greetings from Kentucky School for the Deaf!  As the Principal of KSD, and on the behalf of the KSD Community, I would like to announce that we will host the 2023 East Regional Academic Bowl on March 9-12, 2023. It is always a great honor to be able to host tournaments and competitions at KSD, providing opportunities for our students to develop sportsmanship, fellowship, and life-long friendships.

  As one of KSD’s values, we are always seeking out ways to give our students opportunities to become leaders and life-long learners. The Gallaudet University Academic Bowl competition is one example of a program that has provided our students with a wealth of knowledge, and experiences, and allows them to develop life-long friends and long-lasting memories. We have participated in the Academic Bowl and are honored by this opportunity to host the East regional competition.

  We are excited to host the East Regional Academic Bowl competition as we continue the celebration of our 200th Anniversary. Your presence and support during the competition will be greatly appreciated.

 

     Best regards,

 

     Toyah Robey

     Principal

Big News
New Director of the Division of State Schools
Jarod Mills

 

September 19, 2022

 

Dear KSB and KSD families:

 

I am pleased to announce that April Pieper has been named as the new Director of the Division of State Schools in the Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). As Director of the Division of State Schools, Ms. Pieper will provide oversight of the Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) in Louisville and the Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) in Danville while also supporting school leaders and working with stakeholders to improve student outcomes.

 

Prior to joining the KDE, she taught high school English for 12 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education, two masters’ degrees, in Curriculum and Instruction and Education Administration. She has completed coursework on a doctorate in Educational Leadership through Walden University before transferring her work to Murray State University to pursue the education specialty program.

 

Ms. Pieper holds certifications in English Education (grades 7-12), Supervisor of Curriculum, Director of Pupil Personnel, Director of Special Education, School Principal, District Finance Officer and Superintendent.

 

April believes that all students should be afforded ample experiences and opportunities to help them be successful and meet their academic and career goals. Her priority for this new position is to work with the staff and faculty on both campuses to ensure that students are safe, healthy and achieving at high levels.

 

Throughout her time at the KDE, she has served in several roles, most recently as the Manager of the Individual Programming Branch in OSEEL. She has worked in the Office of Teaching and Learning leading statewide response to intervention programming, as well as college and career

readiness initiatives. She also has worked with the Office of Assessment and Accountability on college and career readiness and alternative assessment, and the Office of Career and Technical

Education on career readiness measures and writing curriculum.

 

 

 

April has worked with the Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children, the Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education and Adult Education, now part of the Cabinet for Education and Workforce Development, to bridge the gap between PreK-12 learning and alternative programs or the transition to postsecondary education.

 

We are excited to have April Pieper in this role and believe her wide experience in education will

serve both schools and students well. Her background in college and career readiness, as well as in career and technical education, will be valuable as we continue working to ensure our students are well prepared to follow their dreams for life after graduation.

 

Sincerely,

 

Gretta Hylton

 

 

Associate Commissioner

Kentucky Department of Education