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listserv message for 04-06-21- Director of Student Services Candidate forum
Published on Apr 6, 2021 15:09

Millis Public Schools invites you to attend our Director of Student Services candidate forum this Thursday, April 8th from 6-7:30pm.  This will be a virtual event conducted via YouTube (link below).  Each candidate is scheduled for a half hour block of time.  In that time, they will share information about themselves and what interests them about becoming Director of Student Services in Millis.  In addition, we are asking you, the Millis community, to submit questions in advance.  The candidates will address the questions provided.  If you have a specific question or topic you would like the candidates to address, please fill out this form  Question for DSS Candidate  prior to the forum.  All questions/topics submitted prior to the event will be addressed, time permitting.

Below is a brief bio of each of the candidates (listed in order of appearance on Thursday):

6-6:30pm

Martha Bakken, Asst. Superintendent of Student Services, Stoneham Public Schools

Ms. Bakken became the Student Services Director in Stoneham in July 2014, and within 4 years was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Student Services. Prior to 2014, she spent 6 years as the Lexington Public Schools K-8 Student Services Supervisor, and for the 4 years prior to that she was Department Head of Student Services for PreK-5 in Westwood Public Schools.  As a district administrator,  she has worked to design and implement PD in subjects like Trauma Sensitive schools, Race & Equity, School Safety & UDL, supported the use of data to inform instruction and meet goals of Special Education students, piloted district wide progress monitoring tools in reading and math, and created a district wide behavioral support referral process as part of an initiative around social emotional learning opportunities.  A Columbia University graduate, MS. Bakken also holds 3 Masters Degrees from UMass-Boston in bilingual education, Wheelock College in Teacher of Special Needs, and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government in Human Resources, Labor and Education.

6:30-7pm

Nealy Koumanelis-Urquhart, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support, Douglas Public Schools

Ms. Urquhart has been working in the Douglas Public Schools for the past eleven years in a variety of administrative roles including Assistant Superintendent of Student Support, Director of Student Support and Building Principal.  Prior to her work in Douglas, Ms. Urquhart was a Special Education teacher in the Hopedale Public Schools for six years.   Her current responsibilities encompass Section 504, English Language Learners, Tutorial Services, MkKinney-Vento,  Nurses, Special Education transportation, Title II and Title IX, and Director of Special Education.  Over the course of her career, she has focused on creating and developing supportive learning environments for students, parents, colleagues and community members that are centered on mutual respect, integrity and accountability.  A Curry College graduate with a degree in Psychology, she also holds 2 Masters degrees: from Lesley College in Special Education and from Worcester State University in Educational Leadership. 

7-7:30pm

Anne Zernicke, Assistant Director of Student Services PK-12, Weston Public Schools

Ms. Zernicke is in her 4th year as Assistant Director of Student Services, PK-12 in the Weston Public Schools.  For the preceding 2 years she was the Assistant Principal for Student Services at the Woodville Elementary School in Wakefield, MA, and for 10 years prior to that, she was a Learning Center Teacher at the Zervas School for Newton Public Schools.  Throughout her career she has held special education teaching and leadership positions in public and independent schools, at the MA DESE and in clinical settings, and has focused her work on creating equitable, inclusive school cultures which maximize instruction, innovation and resources to meet the needs of all students as well as their teachers and families.  Ms. Zernicke earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary & Special Education from George Washington University, and a Master of Education in Reading & Language from Harvard School of Education, as well as a Master of Education in Organizational Management from Endicott College.

YouTube link to Virtual Parent Forum: https://youtu.be/5xZHGD7p1jY

Candidate Feedback Form links:           
Martha Bakken - Feedback form - Martha Bakken  

Nealy Urquhart - Feedback Form - Nealy Urquhart

Anne Zernicke  - Feedback Form - Anne Zernicke

Director of Student Services Candidates

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