Edward Boyd

In 1976, at a time when the School’s Board of Directors was searching for badly needed leadership, Edward Boyd, Ed.D. and a licensed psychologist, was recruited as the School’s Executive Director. Having worked at places like The Dearborn School (a part of Lesley College), The Manville School and Camp Wediko (both part of The Judge Baker Child Guidance Center), Ed had a great deal of experience in the field of special education. In addition, he had been on the faculty of Boston University where he taught in the special education program.

During Ed’s tenure as Director, the effects of the Massachusetts special education law called Chapter 766 (enacted in 1974) were beginning to be felt. Ed brought new ideas and developed new approaches for Gifford in areas such as educational and clinical assessments, reporting, documentation, and accountability. He enhanced the School’s professionalism by bringing in a variety of new training programs. The size of the staff began to increase, the understanding of children’s learning and emotional special needs began to expand, and some needed renovations to the physical plant occurred.

Ed also was able to institute the use of new research and current developments in special education and clinical theory to Gifford. For example, Gifford became sophisticated about the notion of treating a child within the context of his family system, which produced the notion of family therapy. Working collaboratively with regulatory agencies such as the Department of Education and the Rate Setting Commission, Ed’s successful negotiations led to important, positive results for the School’s fiscal well being.  After guiding the School for 11 years, in 1987 Ed stepped down as the School’s Executive Director.