Dr. Stephanie Hirsh

Dr. Stephanie Hirsh is the former executive director of Learning Forward, the premier international association focused on educator professional learning. Today, she continues to advocate for and support educator and student learning through consultation, board service, and volunteer work with for non profit organizations, for-profit companies, universities, and foundations. Recent/current clients include Learning Forward, Carnegie Corporation of New York, University of Texas at Austin College of Education, National Center for Teacher Residencies, Learning First Alliance and Chicago Public Schools. She serves on advisory and director boards for the Center for Policy, Research, and Leadership at Columbia University Law School, edsUP, EdCuration, Center for Jewish Education at the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and her local synagogue. She serves as a mentor through StartED for technology start ups. She began her career as a secondary teacher and later served as a school district administrator in the Richardson (Texas) Independent School District. She served three terms as a school board trustee in Richardson, Texas. She has written more than a dozen books and 100+ articles, blogs etc. Her newest book Transforming Teaching through Curriculum-Based Professional Learning: The Elements written with Jim Short will be released in September. Over the course of her career she has advised policy makers and practitioners at all levels on improving student learning and educator effectiveness through implementation of effective systems of professional learning.

Inspiration comes from so many places in my life. Closest to home my grandchildren inspire me to continue to find ways to make the world a better place for their generation. My faith inspires me of my responsibilities as a citizen of the world. The acts of bravery, kindness, and resilience inspire me to be open; share and listen to points of view; and take action.

I have had tremendous mentors and coaches who have guided me at different points in my life journey. My success can be attributed to their wisdom, compassion, and support for achieving the goals we set forth together.

Learning Forward, Standards for Professional Learning

Wait Til Next Year, Doris Kearns Goodwin

Why are they so angry? by Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square (podcast)