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The following letter from Steve Connolly was submitted to the MECDHH/GBSD Board of Directors at the August 6, 2026 Board meeting.
August 6, 2026
Dear Members of the Board:
Please accept this letter as my formal notification of my retirement as Executive Director of the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing / Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, effective upon the hiring of a new director or on December 31, 2026, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Serving MECDHH/GBSD has been one of the most meaningful and unexpected chapters of my professional life. When I first entered this role, I thought I knew education well, but I quickly realized I had much to learn about Deaf education, Deaf culture, language acquisition, accessibility, identity, advocacy, and the lived experiences of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and families. I will remain forever grateful to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens of Maine who welcomed me into their community with patience, honesty, humor, and grace.
Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of the remarkable science and history behind Deaf education - from language development and early access to communication, to the evolution of educational philosophies, legal protections, and the continuing importance of ensuring that Deaf and Hard of Hearing children have opportunities to fully thrive. Equally important were the daily lessons I gained, just through observation and interaction: watching students navigate two languages and two worlds, observing the uniqueness and power of visual communication, and learning how community, identity, and connection shape lives in ways that extend far beyond school walls.
I will always be thankful for the opportunity to lead this organization. I can only hope that during my time here I was able to contribute strategic thinking, promote a steadfast focus on children, build stronger connections with Maine public schools, draw attention to law and legislative action, and broaden an understanding in Maine’s public schools of how MECDHH/GBSD can continue to serve children and families throughout the state.
Of equal importance, I hope I have helped identify, support, and develop the right people to become the future leaders of this organization. I firmly believe that growth from within is the pathway forward for MECDHH/GBSD. In a field facing national shortages of qualified professionals and leaders in Deaf education, our future strength will depend upon cultivating talent, mentorship, institutional knowledge, and leadership from within our own community.
Education has shaped nearly my entire life. First as a student, then over the course of forty-seven years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, superintendent, and executive director, I have spent more of my time in schools and educational organizations than I have spent with my own family. The work has brought joy, challenge, success, disappointment, growth, and purpose in different forms and at different times. I am not entirely sure how to exist outside of education after so many decades immersed within it. But I do know it is time for me to move on to the next chapter of life - one that I hope includes more time simply being a grandfather, husband, friend, volunteer, and challenged woodworker.
I remain fully committed to the organization and to supporting a smooth transition. I will continue serving in my current role, at the pleasure of the Board, through December 31, 2026, and I would welcome the opportunity to assist the next Executive Director during any transition period deemed helpful by the Board.
Please know how deeply appreciative I am for the trust you placed in me and for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary organization. MECDHH/GBSD, a most unusual and unexpected twist in my career journey, has been a rich and fulfilling experience that I will carry with me always.
Please let me know how I may assist the Board in the important process of identifying and supporting the next leader of MECDHH/GBSD.
With gratitude and respect,
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