She also spent eight years as an elementary school principal and has taught elementary, middle and high school in her 31-year career.
Kanas's career actually began in the theater. She worked for organizations such as the Manhattan Theater Club and Playwrights Horizons, doing new-script development. Her job was to read and critique the works of aspiring playwrights. She also directed some regional theater and off-off-Broadway productions.
Eventually, Kanas began work as an artist-in-residence, visiting New York City schools and conducting theater workshops. She would spend anywhere from a week to six months at a school. It was then that she realized she wanted to change careers and landed a job at the Spence School, an independent institution in New York City.
District 30's search for a new superintendent began early this year with the hiring of a search firm and a series of focus groups with members of the school community.
In late March, the Board of Education set an ambitious schedule to have a new superintendent appointed just a month later. From the six candidates identified by the district's search firm, the board narrowed the pool down to its top two choices.
Each candidate spent a day with the district in early April. They were taken on a tour of the schools by Interim Superintendent Dr. Anthony Singe, and then met with a group of teachers, staff members, administrators and parents for a round-table discussion. The candidates each concluded their visit by meeting with the Board of Education for a final interview. At the end of the second visit, the board deliberated and made its decision.
After Kanas was chosen, a group of five representatives from District 30 paid a visit to Carmel, where, Fletcher said, they spoke with just about everyone.
Kanas signed a three-year contract with the district at an annual salary of $192,000. She replaced long-time Superintendent Dr. Lawrence McGoldrick, who retired last September.
