NORTH VERSAILLES — Sometimes, the circumstances are just right and things work out.

Look no further than Jennifer Costello’s return to East Allegheny as the district’s Director of Special Education.

After teaching in the school district for 11 years as a sixth grade learning support teacher, Costello left to work at Duquesne University as an instructional designer in their education technology department.

But, something just wasn’t right.

“I didn’t like it, and it wasn’t what I was passionate about,” Costello said.

As it happened, East Allegheny was searching for a Director of Special Education, and Costello knew she wanted to return to graduate school. So, she earned her certification from Penn State and recently made her homecoming back to North Versailles.

And now, she’s working back in the field she’s passionate for.

“It’s a special field. I feel passionate about helping people get what they need and being treated as equals and having things that are accessible to them,” Costello said.

Originally a native of Maryland, Costello moved to Pittsburgh to earn her undergraduate degree at Duquesne. She began as a music therapy major before shifting to elementary education. She earned her graduate degree in special education. 

After completing her undergraduate degree, she returned to Maryland to teach for a year and then returned to graduate school at Duquesne. After earning her graduate degree, she joined East Allegheny for the first time.

It was during her time studying music therapy that Costello realized her passion for special education.

“I was a music therapy major, and I did music therapy with autistic children. That’s where it all stemmed from,” Costello explained. “I knew that music was more of a hobby, and I didn’t want it to be my career. But after getting that experience, I thought well, maybe I’ll go (the special education) route, and it just felt natural.”

Now back as a Wildcat, Costello says her immediate priority is to get systems and processes into place to make sure everybody is on the same page.

“Just trying to bring everyone back together, so that they know there’s someone here now, and that I’m trying to get everything on track so they feel comfortable and supported,” Costello said. “If (teachers and families) don’t feel supported, they can’t support the kids.”

With the staff Costello has in place, though, she’s confident that East Allegheny can offer families everything they need in order to support their children.

“We have a great group of teachers, and we have some great programs that are here and some programs that are coming,” she said. “I believe in what we have. The teachers here know the kids. It’s a small district, so teachers know the kids from kindergarten to 12th grade. I think having that familial vibe is comforting for parents to know that their kid is in good hands, and they’re going to get the education they need.”