Danbury School District deputy superintendent Dr. William Glass has retired after two decades in Danbury.  He began his career in Danbury in 1998 as an assistant superintendent before being chosen as interim superintendent for one year.  Despite being 169 of 169 districts in per pupil spending in the state for the past several years, Glass says the schools have garnered numerous recognition in recent years.  He noted that the recognition comes despite 45 languages spoken in the district, an  increase in English language learners and a significant increase in poverty, roughly from 33 percent to 54 percent during his tenure. Glass contracting scarlet fever at six months old, leaving him permanently deaf in one ear with only 19 percent hearing in the other, and a severe speech impediment.  His fifth-grade teacher worked  with him to help him overcome his difficulties and improve in school.  Glass says that's why he wanted to go into teaching, giving up a childhood dream of becoming a theoretical physicist.