Leadership

Tera Spangler serves as the 18th Superintendent, and the first Deaf Superintendent, of the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), bringing more than 25 years of experience in education and leadership for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Blind or Visually Impaired, and Deafblind. She is dedicated to creating environments where students thrive academically and socially, fostering confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging. 

Spangler began her career as a classroom teacher and has held numerous leadership roles at CSDB, including Preschool Director, Principal of the Family-Centered Early Education Program, and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. In April 2022, she was appointed Interim Superintendent and assumed the permanent role in January 2024. She oversees all aspects of school operations, strategic planning, and statewide outreach. 

Spangler holds an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Oakland University, a master’s degree in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing from the University of Northern Colorado, and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She has also completed additional training through Gallaudet University in ASL/English bilingual education approaches. 

Spangler’s transformative leadership centers on a forward-looking vision that recognizes and builds on student strengths, shaping learning environments intentionally designed for Deaf, Blind, and Deafblind students to reach their full potential. 

Kathy Emter has served the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) for more than 21 years and currently serves as the Director of Special Education. Her career at CSDB began through a school counseling internship, and after graduating from Gallaudet University, she was drawn back to Colorado by both the state’s outdoor opportunities and CSDB’s specialized educational environment, which supports belonging, student growth, and community for Deaf, Blind, and Deafblind learners. She has held multiple roles across both the School for the Deaf and the School for the Blind, including School Counselor and School Psychologist, and prior to moving to Colorado, she served as a Teacher of the Deaf in Ohio.

As a leader, Kathy is guided by CSDB’s mission to ensure students have full access to communication, learning, and opportunities for independence. In CSDB’s small-school environment, she values the close-knit community and leads with an emphasis on relationships and systems that support student growth and independence.

Taiyabah Naeem is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB). She brings more than 15 years of experience as a teacher, educator, researcher, and educational leader. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, to Pakistani Punjabi parents, Taiyabah is Deaf and was educated in a mainstream setting, and fluent in American Sign Language. 

Naeem’s professional background includes work at Gallaudet University, the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, and multiple schools serving Deaf learners. These experiences have shaped her deep commitment to high-quality, equitable education for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Blind students. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Psychology from Gallaudet University, graduating with University Honors, a Master’s degree in Deaf Education from McDaniel College, and a Master of Public Health from George Washington University.

At CSDB, Naeem plays a central role in ensuring curriculum is implemented with fidelity and aligned to state standards. She supports teachers in aligning instruction with high-quality teaching standards and supervises literacy specialists and principals across the School for the Deaf, School for the Blind, and the Bridges to Life program. In her role as District Assessment Coordinator, Naeem oversees the administration, completion, and integrity of all district and state assessments. She also plays a key role in accreditation, strategic planning, and systems development, working closely with the Superintendent and leadership team to ensure academic instruction is rigorous, coherent, and responsive to student needs across programs. Naeem’s leadership is grounded in a systems-level and people-oriented approach that advances a strong bilingual vision while honoring and respecting the community’s autonomy and academic and transition goals. 

Beth Oliver serves as Financial Controller at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), bringing a strong foundation in accounting and a deep personal connection to the school’s values. Born in Tennessee and raised in St. Louis, she was educated through oral education and mainstreamed in high school—experiences that shaped her understanding that mainstreamed settings may not always be right for every student and that limited or delayed language access can lead to language deprivation, affecting academic, social, and emotional development.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology and began her career in nonprofit accounting. After stepping away from the workforce to raise her three sons, she spent 19 years as a full-time parent while remaining actively engaged in community service, including volunteering with animal rescue organizations and fostering dogs, giving them a second chance in life and a voice through advocacy.

Since joining CSDB in 2018, she has advanced into her current leadership role, overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, and fiscal stewardship to support the school’s long-term sustainability. Beyond financial operations, she is a strong advocate for full communication access for both students and staff, recognizing that accessible language environments are essential to building an inclusive community where everyone can thrive.

Anthony Thomas is an accomplished educational leader and proud alumnus of the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), where he serves as Supervisor of Student Life Programs. He provides strategic oversight of athletics and residential life, fostering environments that promote student growth, leadership development, and community engagement.

With 18 years of experience in education, Anthony is deeply committed to holistic student development, particularly within residential settings, which he considers his professional calling. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and a Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education from the University of Northern Colorado, graduating with a distinguished 3.98 cumulative GPA. He is professionally licensed in Elementary and Deaf Education.

Anthony is a member of the CEASD Leadership Academy Cohort 8 and serves on the National Student Life for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NSLDHH) Board as the 2029 Conference Chair. As a former National Deaf Academic Bowl Champion and 8-Man Football All-American, he leads with discipline, resilience, and teamwork. He remains dedicated to empowering students to pursue excellence without limits.