Thomas.Busby@f6.n123.z1.fidonet.org (Thomas Busby) (10/02/90)
Index Number: 10702
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Gary W. Olsen, the third deaf superintendent for the Mississippi
School for the Deaf said he wants to give every student a chance to
succeed:"My goal is to help the children to accomplish what they
were made to accomplish. I have been a national advocate for the
deaf and my commitment is my No. 1 credential."
Olsen, who recieved his B.A. and M.A. from Gallaudet University,
has a resume in deaf education and advocacy that began more than 30
years ago. In addition to his experience at the Kendell
Demonstration Elementary School in Washington, D.C. and at the
Indiana School for the Deaf, for more than 11 years, Olsen has
served on many agencies and boards on deaf education. One of the
most prestigious boards he served on was the President's Commission
on Education of the Deaf (COED). Olsen has also served on the board
for the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. Olsen is known
nationally for his 25 years of service with the National
Association of the Deaf where he was executive director from 1984
until this year.
Since early this year, Olsen has been president of Future
Alternatives, Inc. in Indianapolis which provides consulting and
training forcompanies employing disabled workers.
Olsen officially took over as superintendent September 1 at
Mississippi School for the Deaf. Classes for the 160 students began
August 28. He will be paid $49,400, the same as his predecessor,
Michael Finneran.
"Olsen has the potential to develop our deaf school into a national
model," said State Superintendent Richard Thompson, who recommended
the board hire Olsen. "He has that kind of ideas and connections."
Finding a leader for MSD was one of Thompson's first tasks after
taking over as state superintendent July 1. In mid-July, Thompson
met with MAD president , B.H. Stringer and then flew to
Indianapolis for a half-day interview with Olsen.
The MAD played a major role in convincing Dr. Thompson and his
Board to consider Gary Olsen as Superintendent. The main
considerastion by MAD was not that Gary is deaf, but on his track
record in deaf education and advocacy.
"Gary is very progessive in his thinking and his approach with
people," said Charles Estes, the current executive director of the
National Association of the Deaf. He is also very energetic and the
younger people take to him naturally. "I think he has the
leadership capability to pull everyone together." Olsen said the
school's academic programs must be strengthened. "The school is a
multi-cultural setting, and it needs to be approached differently.
Time is here for changes," he said. "I believe that as we signify
our sucess, that will be a selling point in itself."
At his opening meeting with his staff at M.S.D., he told the staff
that the past is important for reference and to learn from but that
they must let go of the old before they can hold on to the new.
While hiring a deaf superintendent for the first time in modern
history was very significant act by the SDE Board, hiring a second
deaf superintendent should be indication that a true commitment has
been made to the deaf childrenof Mississippi.
I am very proud of him and big congratulation to him, too. My big
loudy motto is "Big Deafy really can do anything but cannot hear" I
thought, you would like to know about this at this end....
-=( Thomas Busby )=-
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!123!6!Thomas.Busby
Internet: Thomas.Busby@f6.n123.z1.fidonet.org