MANCHESTER, NH – Superintendent of Schools Bolgen Vargas has named Mary Steady the district’s new director of student services. She will be responsible for special education in the Manchester School District, maintaining and monitoring the records of students receiving services. Ms. Steady will supervise special education staff at all grade levels, including those for the preschool and the deaf and hard of hearing programs.
Ms. Steady comes to Manchester after ten years at the New Hampshire Department of Education, where she most recently served as an administrator working in the Bureau of Special Education and overseeing the Office of Student Wellness. Her responsibilities included coordinating services for children with disabilities and addressing mental health needs in schools.
“When I think of working on behalf of children who have unique learning needs and other challenges, I can’t imagine a better place than Manchester School District to make a meaningful impact,” said Ms. Steady. “I am excited to visit Manchester’s schools to learn from staff, students, and families and to better understand how we can most effectively support the students who depend on us.”
Among other previous career positions, Ms. Steady was a residential director at Spaulding Youth Center from 1996 until 2001. She then worked in the Winnisquam Regional School District for five years as a special education teacher and behavior specialist. Before moving on to the New Hampshire Department of Education in 2007, Ms. Steady was a service coordinator at Community Bridges, a non-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities.
“Ms. Steady will serve as chief advocate for the needs of Manchester’s special education students at the district, state and national levels,” Dr. Vargas said. “I am confident that she will be an enthusiastic and supportive leader of the school district’s department of student services.”
