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.

Jonathan serves as the principal of the School for the Blind. Previously, he held roles with Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired for fourteen years, most recently as Chief Academic Officer, following his work as a Regional Director. Before transitioning into administrative leadership, he worked directly with students and families for nine years as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) and as an Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist.

He holds a master’s degree in special education with a specialization in Visual Impairment from Northern Illinois University, a specialist degree in Educational Leadership, and a PhD in Education from Drake University.

His passion for this field began through working at summer camps and weekend programs at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind. As a principal, he is committed to fostering inclusive, innovative learning environments that promote independence, academic excellence, and lifelong success for every student he serves.

Mike serves as Facilities Director, where he leads facility operations, maintenance, safety, and long-range planning for the school’s historic Colorado Springs campus. A U.S. Air Force veteran with more than 25 years of service, Mike brings extensive experience in leadership, logistics, and project management to support CSDB’s mission.

Since joining the school, he has focused on maintaining safe, accessible, and welcoming learning and living environments for Deaf, Blind, and DeafBlind students, staff, and families. Mike works closely with campus leadership and community partners to oversee construction projects, facility improvements, and day-to-day operations. Mike enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, including fly fishing and camping. He is proud to support CSDB’s mission by ensuring the campus remains a place where students can learn, live, and thrive.

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.