UNION SPRINGS - Sheila LaDouce knew it was time to try something new.

For 15 years LaDouce had been a speech language specialist for the Union Springs Central School District, working closely with special needs children. Now she will be overseeing the Special Education Department.

Earlier this month, LaDouce was appointed by the district's board of education as the new director of Special Programs, a position vacated by Sidney Beckwitch when she retired in June.

“I'm very excited but I'm also eager to continue to serve the district in an administrative position,” LaDouce said.

In December 2005 LaDouce earned her Certificate in Advanced Studies, aspiring to become a school administrator.

Administrative work was important for LaDouce as she wanted to “continue to lead the staff and this district in a positive way for the students of disabilities,” she said.

For LaDouce, Special Programs director seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for special education with her ambition for leadership.

“When this position opened up, I thought, ‘How perfect could this be for me,'” she said.

As director, LaDouce will be pushing to continue integrating students with disabilities into the general education classes with special education teachers at their side to provide additional instruction and support.

“My philosophy is that every child should have the opportunity to begin his or her education in a general education class with a general education curriculum,” she said. “ We should be able to provide services so our children can be successful.”

She will also be looking at bringing back all of the students living in the district but attending school at other places. In past years, if the district was unable to provide a service necessary to students' learning, the students would be sent to other districts or to the Board of Cooperative Educational Services. But now, because of the No Child Left Behind Act, districts are now reversing that trend, she said.

“It is our special education plan to bring students back and provide them an education in their home district,” she said.

In addition to her long-term goals, LaDouce is excited to be continuing her work with Union Springs

“I'm very excited, very happy to be working in a district I've been affiliated with for 15 years,” she said.

“I believe Union Springs can be a model district in all areas, and with the support of the administrative team, I look to raise the bar for all of the students in the Union Springs School District,” she added.

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239