Bay Path University Board of Trustees Vice Chair Wayne Webster, University President Sandra Doran, Willie Ross School for the Deaf Board of Trustees Chair George H. Balsley II, WRSD President and CEO Bert Carter, Deaf Education Director Erika Kaftan, state Rep. Brian Ashe and an interpreter cut the ribbon on the Early Childhood Center, a partnership between Bay Path University and Willie Ross School for the Deaf.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
LONGMEADOW — Two educational pillars in Longmeadow, Bay Path University and Willie Ross School for the Deaf, have begun a partnership designed to directly benefits today’s deaf and hard-of-hearing youth and those of future generations by investing in educators.
“About a year ago, we realized that we needed more space,” said President and CEO Bert Carter, referring to the youngest students that the Willie Ross School serves. At the same time, he explained, “There’s a real shortage of teachers for the deaf. We came here to Bay Path and instead of getting space, we got a partnership.”
Bay Path University and the Willie Ross School worked together to create the Early Childhood Center on the ground floor of Theinert Hall.
Bay Path University School of Education, Psychology and Humanities Dean Ruth Lahti said the partnership between the university and Willie Ross School has “deep roots,” but “took shape” quickly. Carter reached out last spring to inquire about space for the youngest children being taught at the school. Working with Willie Ross School, she said Bay Path University was able to “re-envision some of our campus space to bring the community in” and, at the same time, “learn more about the deaf community.”
The 7,500-square-foot center had been dormitory space before it was demolished and rebuilt for the needs of young children and instructional staff. It now consists of an early intervention room for the youngest children served by the Willie Ross School, as young as a month old. Carter said that, at that age, they receive services in the home but participate in playtimes with other deaf and hard-of-hearing children. There are 39 babies receiving services at the Willie Ross School. He added that such programs offer parents the benefit of meeting and spending time with others with similar experiences. The center also contains three classrooms for preschool-aged children, a conference room and office space.
The Willie Ross School has seen an increase in enrollment, with an additional 20 students triggering the need for the center. Carter said he expects the enrollment to continue to grow over the next decade, in part because the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton closed and new screening programs are doing a better job identifying children with hearing needs.
However, the children are not the only ones who will benefit from the center. Bay Path University is developing a master’s degree program for the education of deaf and hard-of-hearing people. The existence of an on-site educational center will provide hands-on, real-world experience for those in the program.
“We certainly would offer a convenient student teaching location,” said Carter. “It’s a win-win.” The connection to the university will also provide a pipeline for educators to teach at the Willie Ross School after graduation. He said that the school and university have worked together in the past, but this arrangement allows the two educational entities to develop a “deeper” partnership.
“Willie Ross School for the Deaf has been an outstanding partner, with care, with compassion, with our families, in a way only Willie Ross can,” said Bay Path University President Sandra Doran. Lahti commented, “Many of us have personal connections to Willie Ross though our children.”
While still waiting for certification, Carter said he expects the Early Childhood Center to begin instruction after the holidays.
Lahti credited Assistant Dean of Education and Licensure Programs and professor of education Ellen Rustico with building partnerships with parties outside the campus. Rustico spoke about the benefits of the partnership. “It’s not just for the education program,” she said. “I think it’s recognizing the diversity on campus.”
Wayne Webster, vice chair of the Bay Path University Board of Trustees, said, “The board is proud to support this initiative, which reflects our deep commitment for inclusion, accessibility and a testament to the power of education.”
George H. Balsley II, chair of the Board of Trustees for the Willie Ross School, signed his remarks, with translations from an interpreter.
He said he was “so inspired. The spirit that we feel here is so strong. It is with great excitement that we are officially opening the Early Childhood Center.” He added, “We have proof right here that collaboration works.”
