Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) proudly announces that David Krantz, Director of Special Education, has been selected to participate in the eighteenth cohort of Saginaw Valley State University’s (SVSU) Gerstacker Fellowship Program. Mr. Krantz’s selection reflects his commitment to professional growth and opportunities to expand his leadership skills and build relationships with other regional educational leaders.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to have been selected into the Gerstacker Fellowship Program for the 2024/2025 cohort. This opportunity means so much to me, as it represents not only a chance to grow and develop my leadership skills but also a commitment to making a positive impact in the field of education. I am excited to contribute my experiences and perspectives while gaining invaluable insights that will enhance my ability to lead and inspire positive change in our educational community,” said David Krantz.
Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier, who nominated David for the Gerstacker Fellowship, added,
"Mr. Krantz exemplifies servant leadership, and his selection for the Gerstacker Fellowship is a testament to his commitment to leading forward in education. His ability to inspire positive change while supporting students and staff will be further strengthened by this opportunity. As a new Gerstacker Fellow, we look forward to seeing the impact his enhanced skills and experiences will bring to our district and the wider educational community.”
Dr. Erin Senkowski, Executive Director of Special Education and David’s supervisor, also shared her thoughts on his selection, "David’s passion for special education and his commitment to continuous improvement make him a perfect candidate for the Gerstacker Fellowship. His leadership has already made a significant difference in our region, and I am excited to see how this program will further equip him to advance special education initiatives and support our students and staff."
The Gerstacker Fellowship Program, established by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, provides premier teachers and administrators with leadership development and the chance to create meaningful change in K-12 education across Michigan. Cohort members gain valuable insights and engage with educational leaders throughout the state, growing both personally and professionally.
Saginaw ISD congratulates David Krantz on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to the positive impact his participation in the Gerstacker Fellowship Program will have on the district.
ABOUT DAVID KRANTZ, Ed.S.
David Krantz proudly serves as the Director of Special Education Administration and Compliance for the Saginaw Intermediate School District. With 25 years of experience in education, Dave continues to find passion in advocating for high-quality educational opportunities involving all students and families.
After an incredibly rewarding graduation from Peck Community Schools, Mr. Krantz earned his undergraduate degree in 1999 in Special Education Teaching from Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), with an emphasis on serving students with emotional impairments. While he completed his year-long student teaching assignment in Marlette, MI, Dave taught night school classes at the Sanilac County Jail, where he helped incarcerated individuals earn credits toward high school graduation. During the fall of 1999, Dave started teaching at Swan Valley High School. While at Swan Valley, Dave served as a resource room teacher, co-taught multiple subjects, and taught Study Skills classes. He also coached football, baseball, basketball, and track while teaching at Swan Valley. During his time as a teacher, Dave earned his Master of Arts in Teaching Degree and Special Education Supervision Endorsement from SVSU in 2004.
Mr. Krantz began his administrative career as a Supervisor of Special Education with the Saginaw ISD in 2011, serving Carrollton Public Schools. While supervising special education services for Carrollton, Dave completed his Education Specialist Degree and Directorship of Special Education Approval from Saginaw Valley in 2015. In 2016, Mr. Krantz was privileged with the opportunity to become the Assistant Director of Special Education for Saginaw ISD., where he was responsible for special education compliance throughout Saginaw County. In 2020, Dave became Director of Special Education Administration and Compliance, adding transportation oversight to his other administrative duties.
David is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE), the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Through these organizations, Dave has presented on various educational topics at the local, state, and national levels, and has provided strong advocacy in Lansing and Washington D.C., numerous times to promote opportunities for students. David was awarded the prestigious Murray O. Batten Award in December of 2020 through the MAASE organization for “exemplifying honesty, integrity, trust, and compassion as an ISD/ESA Special Education Administrator.”
In his personal time, Mr. Krantz loves spending time with his terrific family. Dave, his wife Angie, an elementary teacher in Saginaw County, and their two children, Elijah and Emily, enjoy traveling to new adventures and participating in various sports endeavors, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, track, and softball.
ABOUT THE GERSTACKER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Gerstacker Fellowship Program was established in 2005 with a $1.5 million endowment by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation. Its purpose is twofold: to provide a leadership development program for a select group of premier teachers and administrators each year and to create a new cadre of educational leaders throughout the State of Michigan who will increase the quality of K-12 education in their communities.
In 2011, the Board of Directors of the Gerstacker Foundation, acknowledging the success of the program, approved an additional $1 million to fund advanced leadership development for program graduates. The initial program is known as Gerstacker Fellowship Program I, and the advanced leadership program is Gerstacker Fellowship Program II.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Supervisor