(TALLADEGA) A veteran AIDB educator with more than 37 years of classroom and administrative experience in special education programs has been named Vice President of Instructional Programs at Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. AIDB President John Mascia announced that Vera Hendrix will assume her new duties on August 1 upon the retirement of Dr. Frieda Meacham.
Ms. Hendrix has served as Special Education and System Test Coordinator for AIDB since 2007 and previously served as the High School Director and as a classroom teacher at Alabama School for the Deaf. She also has teaching experience in early intervention programs and in the Tuscaloosa City and Bibb County school systems. She began her education career at AIDB in 1977. Ms. Hendrix is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s degree in Hearing Impairment, Master’s degree in Specific Learning Disabilities and Education Specialist in Specific Learning Disabilities. She also has a Master’s degree from Jacksonville State University in Education Administration. In her current role, Ms. Hendrix is responsible for all student Individual Education Plans (IEP), and is highly skilled and knowledgeable in state assessment standards and school law. She has been involved in AIDB’s accreditation process and served in an interim leadership role at the Helen Keller School. “I am an advocate for professional development,” said Ms. Hendrix. “I enjoy learning and sharing what I have learned with others. It makes me proud when I can introduce a teacher to a new strategy that is successful in helping a student succeed. It’s all about the kids. Everything we do – it is all about helping our kids to learn and encouraging them to become the very best they can be.” “I am pleased that Ms. Hendrix will assume the duties of Vice President of Instructional Programs. She is a gifted educator and administrator. Her passion for wanting our students and staff to excel and achieve great things will be felt immediately by our staff, students and families served in all AIDB instructional programs,” said AIDB President John Mascia. “I am thrilled to have her as part of the President’s leadership team.” Ms. Hendrix will be responsible for instructional programs at Alabama School for the Deaf, Alabama School for the Blind and Helen Keller School as well as AIDB’s Child Nutrition Program and Health and Clinical Services.
Ms. Hendrix is the daughter of Dora Lee Wesley and the late Ocie Wesley Sr. of West Blocton, Alabama. She has two adult children, Tara Denise Hendrix and Theodore Roderick Hendrix, both of Arlington, Texas. Ms. Hendrix is an active member of the Optimist Club, Talladega, Alabama and also attends Mt. Canaan Baptist Church.
