[VIDEO DESC & TRANSCRIPT: Amy is standing in the hallway of the Rocky Mountain Deaf School (RMDS). The NAD logo is on the bottom right corner.
AMY: In high school, I noticed my strengths were working with people, I liked working behind the scenes — I mean, I wasn’t a fan of standing on stage or leading a meeting. I always liked taking on a Vice President role or serve on a committee. I enjoyed committee work and working with a team. I liked hosting events and being there because I’d still like to know what was going on! But then that evolved to something else once I got to college. I joined a sorority and got involved with Student Body Government (SBG) — I started becoming more confident and knowing myself better. I didn’t mind standing on a stage and presenting. It wasn’t until I started this job that I found my strength in doing both. I do a lot of behind-the-scenes work and I can lead a team! My strengths have shifted into leading a team with vision and ideas and trust my team to carry it out!
Black and white clip of Amy signing to an audience off camera. Next clip, Amy is walking through a hallway and peeking at a classroom through the door. In the center, a white border surrounds white text “AMY” underneath, appears in white text “ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEAF SCHOOL DIRECTOR.”
AMY: Hello, my name is Amy Novotny and I am the Director of the Rocky Mountain Deaf School (RMDS), a charter school in Denver, Colorado.
Black and white clip of Amy smiling and walking out of a classroom into the hallway.
AMY: I grew up in Minnesota, at three years old I started at a mainstreamed school. When I turned seven years old, I went to the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf — but I was still mainstreamed part-time. I shifted between both until High School when I stayed at the deaf school full-time. After that, I went to Gallaudet University.
Black and white clip of Amy signing with a student.
AMY: I first learned about charter schools when I was in high school. The first charter school was established in Minnesota so my teacher brought us there to get an idea of the program. I remember being very impressed with it! During college summer breaks — the program director there was my kindergarten teacher, so she invited me to come and work at the charter school. The charter school concept is so different from a deaf school, which I enjoyed. Then in Colorado, a teaching position opened up. I applied then accepted the job before moving here mainly because the charter school concept involved the teachers more. I knew I wanted that experience. When I first moved, I expected to stay only for one or two years. Well, that totally didn’t happen! Eventually my position changed. When I first started I was a teacher for the first seven years, I liked what I was doing but I was starting to get a little bored. Other positions opened up so I got to shift into various positions over the years — I was the Curriculum Coordinator, Math Specialist, and then a Principal. And honestly, when that position opened, I never gave it a thought to be Principal. Before applying, I took an Administration class and I loved it! I realized I enjoyed school law.
Black and white clip of Amy directing students’ positions off screen.
AMY: Everyday is always different, this is why I love my job! It can be overwhelming, frustrating, and still be extremely fun! I’m out of my office about 20% of the time. I visit other school districts and have meetings. However, when I’m here, the first thing I do is check my office and make sure everything is ready for the day. After that, I like to visit each classroom and say hi to the students and staff. This helps me check in with them to see if there are any issues that we may need to discuss later that day. That happens in the early morning, then later in the morning, I usually meet with my administration team to make sure all of our bases are covered relating to events and budgeting. Then, in the afternoon, all of my time is focused on meetings, one on one meetings with specialists or even with the students. My meetings vary. Sometimes when I have no meetings and it’s quiet, I catch up on my emails!
Black and white close up clip of Amy’s hands on her mouse scrolling through windows at her computer.
AMY: My job also requires me to travel and meet with other school districts to discuss special education. Often, people know nothing about deaf education and our program, this is where my job comes in. I always have to explain it to them. Through the years that I’ve worked here, I’ve learned that I must have a good interpreter with me. And I have to be prepared to explain — more than once — about our school and what the deaf child needs. I don’t always explain about our school but I do explain specifically what the deaf child needs. Sometimes I get frustrated, but honestly, they really do not know so my frustration isn’t worth my energy. I have to let go and for the sake of the deaf student.
Black and white clip of Amy signing with a child in a classroom. Next clip, Amy is walking down a windowed hallway and signs to someone off camera. White text appears at the bottom center, “Because we’re a charter school, we have a deaf-centric philosophy. We intentionally have board members who are parents, staff, and from the community… this helps us stay progressive.” Light blue text “- Amy” and a light blue line outlines the left side of the text.
AMY: RMDS is a very unique place, the team that works here feels like a family to me really. I’m always excited to come to work because I know all of us feel passionate about what we do here. It isn’t often that you find a place where everybody has the same passion, and I do believe that the team is passionate about what they do here. That always encourages me to bring more than 100%, I know I have to bring in 110% everyday at work.
Black and white clip of Amy walking and signing to an audience off screen. Next clip, Amy is working at her standing desk with two computer screens. Video cuts to grey background with the NAD logo quickly changing in different bright colors from teal to white to black to hot pink to green to orange to teal to yellow to purple to finally the official NAD logo with copyright text underneath “The National Association of the Deaf (c) 2019 All Rights Reserved”.]