Page 2 - WPSBC Invitation

THE POSITION

Beep Baseball enrichment groups. Considering that 80% of
The Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is currently seeking an experienced
the WPSBC student body is non-ambulatory and most could
A TRUE Executive Director. The Board of Trustees would like to have the successful candidate assume
be described as medically fragile, the depth and breadth of
his/her responsibilities in January 2018.
accommodations, modifications and adaptations required to
create a meaningful experience for each and every student is
MVP(T) The Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children Board of Trustees has partnered with the
reflective of Dobrich’s impressive dedication.
Allegheny Intermediate Unit to conduct the executive search.
Our adapted sports games are truly big events – complete
with announcers, scorekeepers and popcorn for those sitting in
the stands. It’s very special for our parents and grandparents,
THE QUALIFICATIONS many of whom experience a family life that at times can feel
WPSBC Physical Therapist constrained by the lack of caregivers for respite opportunities
and other substantial challenges to normality.
The Board of Trustees r
Receives National Awardecognizes that selecting a new leader for the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children
is one of the most important and critical decisions that it will make. Below are some of the credentials that the next
“Dobrich’s capacity to engage students in physical
executive director should possess. A complete job description is also available for review here.
Congratulations to Laura Dobrich, who was recognized as activities adapted specifically for them surpasses
the 2016 “Outstanding Related Service Provider” by the
• Advanced degree in education, special education or an advanced degree in business, finance, management
Principals of the Schools for the Blind (POSB) organization. the expectations, and often the hopes, of parents
counseling, psychology or related field required. A doctorate degree is preferred.
who are well-versed in the limits that medical
Each year, POSB recognizes the contributions of remarkable professionals predict for their child, given the
• Ten years experience in multiple areas of administration/education, including any combination of blind/visually
individuals from around the nation who work with students depth and breadth of their physical and sensory
impaired instruction, elementary, middle or secondary school instruction, and experience in central office
with visual impairments through its annual awards program.
Dobrich received her award in October at the meeting of the disabilities,” said Superintendent Todd Reeves.
administration preferred.
Council of Schools for the Blind (COSB) in Louisville, Kentucky.
Further, Dobrich extends her commitment by dedicating herself
• Knowledge of K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment, school organization and management, school
Dobrich has worked at WPSBC for nearly two decades. She to other professional and school-related efforts from helping to
district policy, and Pennsylvania school law.
holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University pilot the new curriculum, to mentoring students and staff and
of Pittsburgh and Master’s and Transitional Doctorate degrees representing the school and her colleagues at numerous local
• Demonstrated record of successful leadership in the execution of programs, strategies, and initiatives.
in Physical Therapy (PT) from Temple University. She has also and national conferences.
• Ability to analyze programs for cost effectiveness and quality.
obtained her Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) Certification,
which is the highest level of recognition for clinical practitioners. But it’s her compassion and devotion to her students that
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement new programs and ideas commensurate with organizational needs.
As a PT in our unique setting, Dobrich integrates services into make her exceptional. “When she works with her students,
the classroom, aquatic environments, as well as during orthotic her personality and passion shine, as do the smiles on her
and equipment clinics. students’ faces,” comments Julie Whitbeck-Lewinski, Director
SALARY AND BENEFITS of Related Services. The entire school community congratulates
In addition to providing exceptional service on a daily basis as Dobrich on this significant award and appreciates that she
a Physical Therapist, Dobrich conceptualized, organized and is on our WPSBC team!
The Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children Board of Trustees offer a competitive salary, comprehensive
inspired her colleagues to establish adapted Beep Soccer and
benefits, and a multi-year contract. The successful candidate will be a member of the Pennsylvania School
OUTREACH PROGRAM
Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS). Annualized salary is subject to negotiation and based upon transferrable
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When honored recently, PT Laura Dobrich thanked her students by stating, “Even with their many challenges, they are
qualifications and experience.
determined, resilient and generally happy, even though we ask them to work harder than we do every single day.”

6

Through the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind
Children’s (WPSBC) Outreach Program, we provide vital
W E S T E R N P E N N S Y LVA N I A
information, consultation and direct services to hundreds S C H O O L F O R B L I N D C H I L D R E N
of visually impaired students, agencies, school districts,
Intermediate Units and families throughout the region.