Donna Flaherty Straight, Ed.D.

Education:
Doctor of Education: Leadership and Learning Rivier University
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies: Educational Leadership Rivier University
Master of Education: Special Education Rivier University
Master of Education: Elementary Education Rivier University
Bachelor of Science: Computer Science UMass Lowell

Certification:
Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent
Principal/Assistant Principal K-12
Special Education Administrator K-12
Elementary 1-6; Middle School 5-9

Experience:
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
North Andover, MA Public Schools
 Collaborate on the development of the annual Professional Development Plan, District Accommodation
Plan, District Improvement Plan, and District Long Range Goals
 Participate in the annual budget development process
 Write and oversee implementation of Federal and State Grants
 Created ‘Raise Awareness’ Cable Show to highlight information and significant happenings for community
 Participation in teacher and other groups collective bargaining
 Oversee all Student Services Departments: Special Education, Social/Emotional Learning; School
Psychologists, Nursing, Guidance, BCBAs, 504
 Guide special education program development, curriculum, assessment, and instruction to develop
innovative researched-based practices to meet the diverse needs of students
 Participate in the annual budget development process
 Responsible for development, defining, and overseeing Student Services budget and grants
 Collaborate on the training and implementation of the Educator Evaluation System
 Write and oversee implementation of Federal and State Grants

Director of Special Education

Georgetown, MA Public Schools
 Lead special education program development, curriculum, assessment, and instruction to develop innovative
researched-based practices to meet the diverse needs of students
 Participate in the annual budget development process
 Responsible for development, defining, and overseeing special education budget
 Collaborate on the development of the annual Professional Development Plan, District Accommodation
Plan, District Improvement Plan, and District Long Range Goals
 Collaborate on the training and implementation of the new Educator Evaluation System
 Collaborate with Director of C& I and Principals for student access and equity
 Coordinate and Collaborate with Superintendent and Director of C& I on the administration of state/district
mandates : Ed Eval, DDMs, RETELL, SEI endorsement, state/district assessments and state/district reports
 Participation in teacher and other groups collective bargaining
 Chaired the MA Tiered System of Supports (RtI) implementation to including infusing data collection and
analysis to improve student academic, social, emotional & behavioral outcomes
 Participated in new school development including MA School Building Authority
Director of Special Education
City of Battle Creek, Michigan Public Schools
 Lead special education program development, curriculum, assessment, and instruction to develop innovative
researched-based practices to meet the diverse needs of students
 Participate in the annual budget development process
 Responsible for development, defining, and overseeing special education budget
 School Consolidation Committee

Assistant Principal Memorial Middle School of 1350 students

ELA & Mathematics Teacher
Hudson, New Hampshire Public Schools
 Special education LEA and 504 Coordinator
 Supervise, Evaluate, and Mentor professional staff and paraprofessionals
 Developed programs, created master schedule, and delivered professional development
 Serve as Principal in absence; many other duties as assigned
 Instructed and assessed 7th & 8th grade students in ELA and mathematics

Learning Disabilities Specialist Northwest Elementary School

City of Manchester, New Hampshire Public Schools
 Instructed & collected data for students aged K-5; conducted standardized assessments

Software Engineer
Digital Equipment Corporation

Additional Relevant Experience:

Leadership Institute for Superintendents and District Leaders
 Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Women in Educational Leadership
 Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
MASS Presenter
 Creating a vertical Social Emotional Learning Environment
Educator Preparation Program Reviewer
 Purpose to evaluate Massachusetts Educator Preparation Programs
School Committee Litchfield, NH
 Chair for one year; member for 6 years
Finance Committee Litchfield, NH
 Member for 5 years
Campbell High School Building Committee, Litchfield, NH
 Conception to Dedication of high school

Publications:
Academic Participation of Students with Autism through Computer-Mediated Communication
 Dissertation

Memberships and Affiliations:

MA Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Association of Curriculum & Development (ASCD)
Merrimack Valley Superintendents Round Table Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
CREST Collaborative Special Education Directors DESE Special Education Leadership Academy
MA Administrators of Special Education (MAASE)