May 16, 2007

SCSDB News

South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind

• A Palmetto Gold School • For Immediate Release

Media contacts:

Sharon Goolsby, Public Information Office: (864) 577-7505

Katie Rice, Public Information Office: (864) 577-7506

SPARTANBURG, SC – The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB) has named new directors for Health and Related Services and for Residential Life Services.

Rebecca A. Smith has been selected to serve as the Director of Health and Related Services. She most recently served as the department’s interim director. Smith joined SCSDB as a school psychologist in 1994. Other previous experience at SCSDB includes practice teaching, a student internship and working in the after-school program. Smith taught in the South Carolina public schools for five years.

She holds an associate’s degree from Spartanburg Methodist College; a bachelor’s degree in deaf education from Converse College; a master’s degree in developmental psychology, and a psychology specialist’s degree in school psychology from Gallaudet University.

Jack Todd has been selected as the Director of Residential Life Services. He most recently served as interim director of Residential Life Services. His previous experience at SCSDB includes 12 years as a physical education teacher and coach, and 15 years as the director of library and media services.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Wofford, and a master’s degree in the art of teaching as well as a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of South Carolina.

“We are very fortunate to have Ms. Smith and Mr. Todd accept these important roles,” said school president Sheila Breitweiser. “Their outstanding dedication, talents and experience will be invaluable as they lead their departments into the exciting and challenging times ahead.”

The SC Department of Education named SCSDB a Palmetto Gold School for its academic accomplishments and a Red Carpet School for its outstanding customer service. SCSDB is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf and the SC Department of Education. SCSDB offers programs for preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, sensory multidisabled, vocational and postsecondary education students, as well as a variety of outreach services through regional centers located throughout the state. The main campus is located in Spartanburg. The school’s web site address is www.scsdb.org and its toll-free telephone number is 1-888-447-2732.