News Archive

December 29, 2014 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jon Konzelman/ 570-585-7029 jkonzelman@thescrantonschool.org

The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children Names Principal

Cyndy Ward Selected as Principal at School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children

[Scranton, PA] – The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children will start the New Year with a new Principal. Donald E. Rhoten, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and Jon Konzelman, Director of The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children announced today.

Effective on February 2, 2015, Cyndy Ward will become the Principal of the School.

Cyndy Ward most recently served the Virginia School for the Deaf as the Director of Clinical and Educational Support Services. She has over 30 years of experience in Deaf Education including experience at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, and the Vermont Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Austine School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

“We are gratified to have an educator of the caliber of Cyndy Ward serving our students,” Mr. Rhoten stated, “She is widely respected in the field of deaf education and brings to our students a wealth of experience, passion and academic excellence. We look forward to seeing our students continue to thrive under her leadership.”

“Our school is deeply committed to meeting the individual needs of our students and supporting our families through the exceptional services our faculty and staff provide,” Mr. Konzelman stated, “We are confident that Cyndy Ward will challenge our students to meet and exceed our expectations for academic success.”

Cyndy Ward is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists and recently had the opportunity to present to the Virginia House of Representatives Education Sub-Committee regarding the Least Restrictive Environment for educational placement of deaf and hard of hearing children.

Cyndy will reside in South Abington Township with her son.

The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children is committed to developing students for a lifetime of success. A program of The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, the school is proud to offer the very best of academic, residential, and support services to students at no cost to their families. The Scranton School advances the philosophy that all children are special and each student is unique. The Scranton School is truly committed to providing a successful and enduring legacy of quality education for deaf and hard of hearing students in northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond.

The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children will start the 2014-2015 school year with a new leader.  Effective immediately, Jon Konzelman has been named as the Director of the School.  After teaching in the classroom for many years, Jon Konzelman obtained an M.Ed. from The University of Scranton and will move into his current role after serving as Assistant Director where he was responsible for community relations and development of the newest school for deaf and hard of hearing children in the nation.

“We are gratified to have an educator of the caliber of Jon Konzelman serving our students,” stated Donald E. Rhoten, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children, “He is widely respected in our school community and brings a wealth of experience, energy and professionalism to the task.  We look forward to seeing our school continue to grow and thrive under his leadership.”

“This school is deeply committed to meeting the individual needs of our students and supporting our families through the exceptional services our faculty and staff provides, Konzelman stated, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve our school community in this meaningful way.”

Education from Baptist Bible College and an M.S. in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania.   He is a member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine.  He serves on the Board of Directors for NeighborWorks Northeastern PA and is an active member of the Heritage Baptist Church.  Jon Konzelman lives in South Abington Township with his wife, Amy and their son, J.J.

The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children is committed to developing students for a lifetime of success. A program of The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, the school is proud to offer the very best of academic, residential, and support services to students at no cost to their families. The Scranton School advances the philosophy that all children are special and each student is unique. The Scranton School is truly committed to providing a successful and enduring legacy of quality education for deaf and hard of hearing students in northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond.