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‘I want to make an impact’

Greathouse to become director of special education

-Submitted photo
Branwyn Greathouse will be the Fort Dodge Community School District’s director of special education on July 1. Greathouse is shown here at this year’s track and field Special Olympics at Dodger Stadium in Fort Dodge.

For 24 years, Branwyn Greathouse has done everything she could to make sure every kid’s need has been met in the Fort Dodge Community School District.

Greathouse, who has been the lead special education teacher for the past three years, has been named the new director of special education.

“I’m so excited for this new opportunity,” Greathouse said. “It’s something I have worked for and it has been a goal of mine. I started in special education when I first started (1998) and if you would have told me 10 years ago I would be on this path, I wouldn’t believe it.

“I want to make an impact on kids.”

Greathouse will take over for Pam Stangeland, who took a similar position in Boone. The new job will begin July 1.

-Submitted photo
Branwyn Greathouse will be the Fort Dodge Community School District’s director of special education on July 1. Greathouse is shown here at this year’s track and field Special Olympics at Dodger Stadium in Fort Dodge.

“I’m super excited to continue my role and build on what we have and make it even better,” Greathouse said.

Superintendent Dr. Derrick Joel saw Greathouse’s experience and passion for education as a perfect fit.

“Branwyn has been with the district for a while in a variety of roles,” Joel said. “With her knowledge of our district and student needs, it was a perfect fit.

“In her teacher leadership role, she has been side-by-side with the director of special education and this was a natural progression to the leadership role.”

Greathouse has been in the district for over 20 years and has grown through the school district.

“Branwyn knows the kids and the system and shows how the district has grown our own leadership,” Joel said. “Yes it will take time to really understand the role, but she has been around it.

“As we looked and thought about what we were looking for, it’s a huge compliment to Branwyn. Anytime you can promote within it’s great. It’s great that she knows Fort Dodge and shows we as a district can grow our own leadership.”

Joel noted that Greathouse’s knowledge of special education is a key attribute.

“She has a great knowledge base of special education and services for ultimate student success,” Joel said. “She loves kids and has a passion for education. She is organized and communicates well.

“She has a collaborative nature to solve challenges and problems.”

When she officially steps into her position in July, Greathouse is looking forward to helping kids.

“The biggest thing is I want to do what is best for the kids,” Greathouse said. “I want to make sure all of their needs are being met and break down what is needed for them.

“I want to have communication with the teachers and if a plan isn’t working, make sure that we make modifications to see that every kid has success.”

Greathouse added that the well being of a child’s education is important, no matter what it takes.

“From start to finish, it’s an amazing process,” Greathouse said. “At the end of the day we have to make sure we find out what is best for each kid, because they all learn in their own way.

“We have to think about what kids need and our teams are amazing at figuring out what we need to do.”

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