I had the pleasure of working closely with Donna Palley for years as a special education teacher at Concord High School. Special education is an extremely complicated realm that requires extensive knowledge of learning challenges and strategies to improve student performance.
There is a plethora of laws pertaining to special education identification, establishing appropriate goals, delivery of services and placement. For each student an individualized plan must be written and agreed upon by a team consisting of the student, parents, teachers and specialists. Services are very expensive.
While students’ needs are a priority, financial implications must be carefully considered. This is often where consensus falls apart. Expert skills in diplomacy, innovative thinking and building trust through consistent communication are paramount. Overseeing compliance of 200 special education students and staff is a tremendous responsibility. Effectively having done so in that position alone, Donna Palley demonstrated “management skills involving organization, finance and operations, policy work, student and parent relations and educational environments.”
The NHSAA just awarded her the 2018 Outstanding Service Award based on her “contributions to the educational achievement of her SAU, organizational improvement, initiative, professional growth and service to public education.”
I understand the general purpose of certification criteria. I also know how unchecked systems can operate. Donna was surely not the only one aware of her certification status. We don’t know what may have transpired behind closed doors nor what she may have been told. So, let’s focus on the credentials she’s consistently proven to possess.
Concord School District has benefited from those for years and would be smart to support her in attaining the paper trail.
LAURIE LOWD
Hopkinton