Tina Atkins, the newly named director of Magnolia Speech School, has a personal stake in the school's success.

Her grandson, Evan, was born premature. He will turn 3 this month but still is unable to speak.

"It's really sad ... to know that he can't tell us when he's hungry or thirsty," Atkins said. "We have to just keep him by the hand because he can't tell anybody his name if he gets lost."

Atkins and her family searched for someone to help Evan, even trying private therapy. But, because they needed intense daily therapy, they were referred to Magnolia Speech School.

Later, after learning the current director, Anne Sullivan, was retiring after 18 years at the school, Atkins applied for the job.

"This is why we didn't have to explain to her in an interview that this is life-changing work," Sullivan said.

The search committee and board of directors voted unanimously for Atkins. She will take the reins of the school in August and will have a period of transition with Sullivan through December.

The school attained a private grant that will make that transition possible, Sullivan said.

The board is "greatly saddened" by Sullivan's retirement, but takes pleasure in Atkins' acceptance of the offer to lead the school, Charlie Alexander, board president, said in a statement.

"We believe that Dr. Atkins' qualifications, experience and leadership ability will be a true blessing to the school," he said. "We are so excited to see another strong, focused and visionary leader arrive to take Magnolia's helm at this time.

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Magnolia Speech School's new director shares grandson's ordeal