Directors of Special Ed. and Curriculum Appointed

NPSD Director of Special Education and Director of Curriculum and Equity Appointed by Board of School Directors
Posted on 07/18/2019
Photo of newly appointed administrators

It is with a great deal of pride that the North Penn School District (NPSD) announces the appointment of Ruth Desiderio as Director of Special Education and Dr. D’Ana Waters as Director of Curriculum and Equity following approval by the NPSD Board of School Directors at a meeting held on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

After careful search and detailed examination by the district, Desiderio and Waters will begin their journey in their new roles this summer in preparation for the start of the 2019-2020 school year.

Director of Special Education Ruth Desiderio has worked in the NPSD since 1998. She began in the district with a combined position as both a Learning Support Teacher and an Instructional Support Teacher at Inglewood Elementary School. She became a Supervisor of Special Education in 2010. Desiderio served in this role until April of 2019 when she was appointed interim Director of Special Education for NPSD.

Desiderio earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College. She then earned her master's degree and certification in Elementary and Special Education from LaSalle University, and continued on to obtain her Supervisor of Special Education certificate from Penn State University. Desiderio has also taught several courses as an adjunct professor at LaSalle University and has supervised graduate students as they pursue certification through LaSalle’s summer inclusion practicum.

Dr. D’Ana Waters will serve as the Director of Curriculum and Equity. She will be responsible for developing, implementing, supervising and evaluating curricular programs in the district, as well as promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion through leadership of the district’s cultural proficiency and equity initiatives.

Like Desiderio, Waters is also no stranger to North Penn. She began her journey in 1995 at Hatfield Elementary School as an English as a Second Language Assistant. In 1996, Waters moved to Oak Park Elementary School where she taught until 2005 when she became an Intervention Specialist and Assistant to the Principal at Penndale Middle School. Waters then returned to her roots in 2008 as Principal of Hatfield Elementary School. During her time there, she achieved many accolades including the Superintendent’s Honor Roll Award in 2018. In addition to her involvement in countless committees and initiatives, Waters most recently served as co-chair of NPSD’s Cultural Proficiency Committee.

Waters earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications from West Chester University. She then earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education at Beaver College and her School Administration K-12 Certification from the University of Pennsylvania. Waters continued on to earn her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University where she now serves on the Dissertation Committee as needed.

Congratulations to Ruth Desiderio and Dr. D’Ana Waters on their respective appointments as NPSD Director of Special Education and Director of Curriculum and Equity. The NPSD looks forward to working with both Desiderio and Waters to continue to inspire its students to dream big and achieve greatness!