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Perkins names new superintendent of education

Ed Bosso brings extensive background in special education to new position overseeing on-campus and public school programs.

Photo portrait of Ed Bosso

Ed Bosso, a respected leader in deaf education with a background in all areas of special education, will take over today as superintendent and executive director of educational programs at Perkins School for the Blind. 

In his new position, Bosso will oversee all of Perkins’ educational services, from students enrolled in day and residential programs on campus, to students supported by Perkins’ specialized educators in public schools. Bosso brings more than 30 years of experience to the job, including leadership positions as principal of the Delaware School for the Deaf, director of Statewide Programs for the Deaf and Deaf Blind Students and assistant superintendent of human resources for the Christina School District in Wilmington, Delaware. Most recently, he served as vice president of Gallaudet’s National Deaf Education Center, where he was responsible for PreK-12 research and demonstration schools.

“Like many committed individuals here at Perkins, Ed’s career is the sum of first-hand experiences at every level of the special education field,” said Perkins President and CEO Dave Power. “With so much momentum in our educational programs right now, there’s no question that Ed’s leadership experience will be a crucial ingredient for our future success.”

Bosso has been working in and around special education classrooms since 1982, when he began teaching in Berwick, Pennsylvania. He was drawn to the field, he said, by his belief that all students deserve a quality education.  

“Too often, special education students are relegated to second class status. Our students are not second class in any way, shape or form,” he said. “I think part of our work is to be ambassadors and to show people what our students can do and the gifts that they have.”

In his new role, Bosso will spend his first few months observing the many facets of the Perkins educational programs – teaching and learning, residential life, and early intervention and community services.  Additionally, Ed will spend time talking with teachers and staff and learning about the many great things happening for students and families and use this information to bring professionals together from across programs to share expertise and best practices.

“There’s a tremendous amount of talent on this campus, and we need ensure we’re working together to make the most of it,” he said. “It takes everybody to move an organization forward, not one leader. My job is to align things so that we’re all moving toward one common goal – the highest quality education for all students.”

In January, Bosso visited the Perkins campus, meeting with leadership and the teaching staff. He was struck by the warmth and passion exuded by nearly everyone he interacted with.

“I started meeting people and it just felt incredibly special,” he said. “They made me feel like it was going to be home pretty quickly. That’s the draw of Perkins.”      

Bosso holds a master’s degree in educational administration/supervision from California State University, Northridge. He earned a Bachelor of Science in special education from Bloomsburg University.  

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