NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Dara Joseph, the District’s Committee on Special Education (CSE) chairperson, was appointed interim Supervisor of Special Education during the Board of Education’s recent meeting.
She is appointed to the current position for the 2017-18 school year only, while the District searches for an Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services and a Director of Special Services.
Joseph joined the District this past school year in a role where she was responsible for all CSE operations, as well as district-wide Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and implementation.
In her new position, she assists in overseeing the department’s budget, and finance and compliance in addition to state reporting. Joseph also handles special education professional development training for select district staff; oversees daily operations including human resources; and assists in the evaluation of daily operations of special education administrative support practices.
“My immediate plans are, in addition to supporting the District’s mission of providing the best education to all students, to ensure the implementation of the procedures related to special education compliance and for the department to remain stable in the services it offers to students with disabilities,” said Joseph. “I also see my role as one which consistently supports staff in their work in addition to supporting all District stakeholders through collaborative communications. I support a team-oriented disposition in teaching and learning by promoting student achievement; creating a shared vision and evaluating instructional practices.”
Joseph has 13 years of experience as a classroom teacher. She was also supervisor of special education for the past seven years in other Westchester County school districts.
Joseph, a Nyack resident, holds three master’s degrees: One in school administration and supervision from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry; a second in special education from the City College of New York; and the third in educational leadership from Touro College in New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education studies from Empire State College.
In addition, for the last eight years, Joseph has been an adjunct faculty member at Mercy College in its graduate education division. She was also nominated by The Journal News for its Top 40 Under 40 recognition program.