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Laurie Brown Named Director of Outreach Services at Willie Ross School for the Deaf

Brown previously served as Assistant Education Director for the school

 

Longmeadow—Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) has announced that Laurie Brown (photo attached), who previously served as Assistant Education Director for the school, has been promoted to WRSD’s Director of Outreach Services.

Brown’s promotion to Director of Outreach Services comes as Greg DeLisle, who previously served in the Director of Outreach Services position and in a variety of roles at Willie Ross for more than 40 years, retired in June.

Brown joined WRSD in 2018 as Assistant Education Director. In her new role as Director of Outreach Services, Brown will oversee services provided to students in public schools throughout Western Massachusetts. WRSD’s Outreach program supports each individual student’s language and communication needs as determined by their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team. The Outreach program also provides consultation to faculty and professional staff in public schools, and also partners with school districts to develop, staff, implement and manage programs for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Brown will also continue to run the Early Intervention program at WRSD.

According to Bert Carter, President and CEO at Willie Ross, “Our Outreach Department has experienced a great deal of growth in recent years as we help local school districts in providing academic support for students with hearing loss. Laurie Brown understands our approach from the inside as Assistant Education Director and will bring her knowledge and enthusiasm to this new and important role in serving school districts.”

Prior to joining Willie Ross, Brown was a teacher for 27 years, teaching at American School for the Deaf for 18 years and at California School for the Deaf, Riverside for eight years. She received a sixth-year degree in Educational Leadership from Quinnipiac University, a Master’s degree in Deaf Education from the University of Rochester, and a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Syracuse University. Brown lives with her family in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Willie Ross School for the Deaf provides a comprehensive educational program stressing academic excellence that focuses on the development of students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth from the early childhood level through high school. Willie Ross serves students at its main campus in Longmeadow and at its partnership campus located in the East Longmeadow Schools. Mainstreaming opportunities are provided at the partnership campus.