Bethlehem Central’s new assistant director of special education is a familiar face in the district. Laura Rosa, who has served as a Committee on Special Education chairperson for the past four years was appointed to the leadership role by the Board of Education at its meeting on September 4.
Rosa’s appointment is part of the district’s Student Services Department’s restructuring this year. The restructuring is intended to add support for special education under the umbrella of services provided to students across the district. Those services include general education instructional supports, counseling, social-emotional learning programs, and special education.
“I’m looking forward to learning more about the needs of the district on a k-12 level as well as expanding my relationships with those who serve our students on a daily basis,” said Rosa, who has been CSE chair at the middle school level as well as at the preschool level at BC.
Including her tenure as a CSE chair, Rosa has worked in education for 22 years in various roles including as a special education teacher, reading teacher, assistant principal, director of curriculum and professional development, and as an elementary principal. Rosa earned a bachelor’s degree in special education at The College of St. Rose and master’s degree in ready from UAlbany. She also holds a school building leadership certificate from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and a school district leadership certificate from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Rosa said she is excited to be part of a restructured special education team. She said she plans to use her expertise to help new director of special education Doug Morrissey become acquainted with Bethlehem.
“Doug should know that BC is unique,” said Rosa. “Unique because we have such strong community involvement and unique in that all the staff care a tremendous amount about the success of our students.”
Rosa said she and Morrissey will work with educators and aides across the district to provide inclusive opportunities for students and ensure individuals with disabilities have their individual needs met through a continuum of services at BC. The special education offices are located at the high school within the Student Support Services department.
“We also look forward to working closely with our Student Services colleagues who oversee the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to meet the needs of students by monitoring those who may benefit from additional supports,” said Rosa. “The district is large and must work together always keeping in mind we are all here for the same reason… the kids.”
Rosa said she will also work to maintain close ties with local and state agencies, including Capital Region BOCES and the New York State Education Department, to monitor changes in regulations and trends in special education.
When not working, Rosa can be often be found on sports fields across the Capital Region with her two children, Roo (a high school junior) and Mekey (a high school freshman).