Louisiana's Special School District

Trust. Compassion. Results.

ERNEST E. GARRETT III
Superintendent

Ernest E. Garrett III is the former executive director and chief executive officer of the Deaf Empowerment Awareness Foundation, Inc., located in Webster Groves, Mo. He is also the founder and owner of Garrett LCSW & Consulting, a deaf-owned and operated limited liability company headquartered in Jefferson City, Mo., licensed by the City of Jefferson and accredited by the Better Business Bureau (A+). [Read More...]

 Katherine Granier
Chief Operating Officer

Katherine Rasy Granier is a veteran of the Louisiana state government with over 18 years of experience in the development and implementation of finance, budget and statistical analysis, public policy, strategies, processes and controls. Her expertise encompasses establishing budgeting functions, systems and best practices, cost-reduction, and building business relationships to ensure goal-surpassing fiscal performance. [Read More...]

 DONAVAN WILLIAMS
Designated Interpreter

Donavan Williams, a nationally certified sign language interpreter (NIC), is a native Floridian who recently settled in Lafayette, Louisiana. A graduate of Florida State College of Jacksonville, he also matriculated at the University of North Florida. Williams is a graduate of the first cohort group of the Deafblind Interpreting Institute at Western Oregon University. [Read More...]

 Dr. Heather Laine
Asst. Superintendent/Director LSD

Dr. Heather Laine began her education career as a paraeducator with Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) in the late spring of 1999 then became a teacher of the self-contained special education classroom for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from preschool to high school from August 1999 to July 2006. After LACOE, she moved to Mesa, Arizona to work at Sequoia Deaf school for 14 years where she was employed as a teacher, elementary assistant principal, and then a K-12 principal. [Read More...]

Dr. Shirley B. Lewis
Chief Academic Officer SSP

Shirley B. Lewis, Ed.D, is a product of the East Baton Rouge School System of which she is proud to proclaim. Lewis, a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana State University, and Nova Southeastern University, has numerous credit hours in educational leadership obtained from Southern University, Baton Rouge. She holds a variety of certifications in education, which she believes has prepared her for serving in the many capacities within the Special School District.  [Read More...]

 Dr. Marie Smith
Asst. Superintendent SSP

Marie A. Smith, Ph.D., NCC, LPC, possesses multiple certifications and licenses in regular and special education administration, school and mental health counseling, curriculum and instruction, and teaching. Smith’s knowledge spans essential disciplines to include administration, counseling, student behavior, evaluation/assessment, professional development, and program research. [Read More...]

 KATHLEEN CARR
Exec. Director ESS

Kathleen Carr, M.Ed., oversees a team of professionals whose responsibilities include providing diagnostic testing and results to young scholars enrolled in the SSD’s educational and residential programs.  Connecting with SSD’s “customers,” the young scholars and their families, starts with a conversation that helps instructors provide the specialized educational programs and support services to fit scholars enrolled in or seeking enrollment in the system. [Read More...]

 Donald Snider
Asst. to the Superintendent for Strategic Initiatives

Donald Snider is a senior-level visionary with a proven record of success. His extensive experience in the field, excellent leadership skills and strong management acumen have afforded him the experience to undertake high levels of responsibility and to design major foundational policies. His extensive entrepreneurial experience and powerful national affiliations have led to numerous executive appointments. [Read More...]

 ELEANOR WHARTON
Director of Communications

Eleanor “Ellie” Wharton is a 40+-year veteran in the broadcasting industry, having worked for ABC- NBC- and CBS-owned television stations in San Francisco, CA, St. Louis, MO and Birmingham, AL. Wharton entered Washington University in St. Louis immediately following high school, later, moving to the San Francisco Bay Area. She earned an Associate in Arts degree in Journalism from Laney College in Oakland, CA and the equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communications from San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA. [Read More...]

 KENYETTA SEWELL
Director of Human Resources

Kenyetta Sewell was responsible for Human Resources for the Louisiana Lottery Corporation for six years. Her responsibilities included the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives. Strategic initiatives included recruiting and retention, learning and development, compensation and benefits, and other initiatives related to employment. [Read More...]