Meet our Leadership Team

LeeRose Bedell (sign name L- on the face, next to the mouth) is the Educational Supervisor for SFDS. She began her journey in the field of education back in July 2006, when she took on the role of a teacher’s assistant here at SFDS. What started as a summer job quickly turned into a full-time position, all because she immediately fell in love with the students and their amazing potential. LeeRose decided to take the next step and became a certified Teacher of the Deaf (TOD), graduating in 2015 from Hunter College with her MS in Deaf Education. Many years later, she continued her educational journey and graduated in 2022 from Hunter College with an Advanced Certificate in Behavior Disorders.

Janelle Brown (sign name J – wave it back and forth over other forearm, like signing ‘music’) is the Communication & Language Department Supervisor at SFDS. Janelle is a NY state and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist (CCC-SLP), Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD), and School Building Leader (SBL). She has been practicing for 14 years. She received her BA in English from Spelman College and MA in Speech-Language Pathology from Howard University. Janelle also holds an Advanced Certificate in School Building Leadership from St. John’s University. Before working in her current role at SFDS, Janelle has worked in a variety of settings servicing preschool, school age, and adolescents with Autism and varying disabilities and as a private clinician and evaluator. Before becoming a speech language pathologist, Janelle worked as an assistant at charter schools and early childhood intervention centers in Washington District of Columbia.

Leslie Mackay (sign name L-moving from the top of the head to the chin) is our Pupil Personnel Service (PPS) Coordinator. Leslie is a NYS licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist and Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH). Leslie began her relationship with the SFDS community over 30 years ago as a student volunteer. She later joined the Speech & Hearing Department as a speech teacher & Supervisor until she took a step back to raise a family. While she was away, Leslie worked in a variety of settings, providing therapeutic and diagnostic services for children ages 0-5 with early delays, Down Syndrome, Autism, Deaf, DeafBlind and Deaf Disabled. Leslie returned to SFDS as a SLP in 2017. She was most recently the Parent-Infant Program teacher & SLP providing ongoing support, education and speech services for the youngest members of our community ages 0-3. Leslie is a strong advocate for children and believes it takes a village to raise and educate a child. She is excited to be a liaison among families, SFDS staff and the Department of Education. Leslie’s roles include providing support and guidance for parents, coordinating IEP meetings and ensuring the “I” in IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) process.

Anthony Siciliano (sign name A- moves up, like signing ‘tall’) joined SFDS as a Maintenance Supervisor/Boiler Operator in 2014. Prior to SFDS, Anthony worked in another school building and has over 18 years’ experience working in schools in the maintenance department.

John Quinn (sign name Q -taps the side of the cheek) is the Network Manager, IT Support Specialist and Technology Supervisor for SFDS where he oversees all Network related equipment of the school. John ensures the safety and security of our school’s online environment. John’s role involves installing, managing, upgrading, and procuring cutting-edge technology to empower our students, teachers, and staff in reaching their goals through the latest and most innovative technological tools. John joined SFDS in 2001 and has over 22 years of Network and IT Management experience within a state funded organization. John received his degree in Network Management from an accredited Technology College in New York City.

Dawn Welters (sign name D [curve transition] W) joins SFDS as the Supervisor of Instruction and Operations from Washington, DC, where she worked as an educator and for Apple, Inc’s Education Department as a technology specialist. DW is a graduate of Gallaudet University with 15+ years of experience in education with advanced degrees in Psychology and Instructional/Educational Technology. Dawn’s background is in technology, research, accessibility, advocacy, coding, curriculum development, and learning/instructional design. Dawn oversees daily operations and instruction at SFDS including instructional technology, media science, and community based initiatives. She is passionate about community service and making sure education is accessible for all students.

Jennifer White (sign Name- J, “White”) is the Business Manager for SFDS where she oversees and reports on the financial and human resources of the school. Jennifer joined SFDS in 2013; prior to that, she was the Controller of a private membership club in Manhattan and a Senior Auditor at a public accounting firm. Jennifer has over 15 years of accounting experience with nonprofit organizations. Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the City University of New York. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Jennifer is also a Society of Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).