McAuliffe Charter School Hires 3 Educational Leaders

The Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School has hired three new educational leaders, said Kristin Harrison, the Framingham-based middle school's executive director.

The school's principal announced she was leaving earlier this year, and the regional charter school opted not to fill the principal position.

Alison Rheingold and Christina Morello have been hired as instructional coaches.

Kim Ferguson will serve as the school's new Dean of Culture. She will work closely to engage McAuliffe teachers in professional growth, and to support curriculum development, assessment and instruction.

In an innovative move reflecting the needs of today’s middle school students, Ferguson and Harrison, will share responsibilities held by a traditional principal (school routines, procedures, positive behavior interventions, and parent engagement). 

Meanwhile, Rheingold and Morello will support teachers on curriculum development and instruction, a model in tandem with Expeditionary Learning schools nationwide. 

“McAuliffe’s Board of Trustees believe that this leadership structure will guide the school to effectively implement its long-term goal to become a nationally recognized Expeditionary Learning school,” said Harrison. “Increasing the ratio between students and instructional leaders allows more time for each to oversee instruction and feedback, time spent guiding students in their own path to learning.”

McAuliffe students are admitted by lottery and come from diverse backgrounds and learning profiles from throughout the region. 

Students live in Framingham, Natick, Ashland, Holliston, Sudbury, Southborough, Hopkinton, and Marlborough. 

Christa McAuliffe is am Expeditionary Learning middle school for students in grades 6-7-8 and have more than 300 students.