Christine Fleming-Hirshka Selected for PASCD 2014 Class of Emerging Leaders

HORSHAM, PA— Christine Fleming-Hirshka, Gifted Support Specialist at Keith Valley Middle School, has been selected by the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD) for its 2014 class of emerging leaders. The PASCD Emerging Leaders program recognizes and prepares young, promising educators to influence education programs, policy, and practice at the state level.

Fleming-Hirshka has been with the Hatboro Horsham School District since 2006. She started at the high school as a social studies teacher and moved to Keith Valley Middle School in 2007. In 2011 she was chosen to be the Gifted Support Specialist. Since that time she has been teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade enrichment class and has served as the GIEP case manager for a number of students at Keith Valley and at the elementary level.

As Gifted Support Specialist, Fleming-Hirshka has been instrumental in revamping the enrichment program and curriculum to allow for more student choice and exploration of interests. To accomplish this, a curriculum for unit plans that meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students was developed.

Fleming-Hirshka is excited about participating in the Emerging Leaders program. She said, “I see this program allowing for me to grow as a specialist and refine my leadership abilities as I work with my colleagues to differentiate their curriculum content to meet the needs of the advanced student population.”

“Our school is proud to have such a dedicated educator with us. We congratulate her on this impressive accomplishment and applaud her commitment to providing students with an outstanding educational experience,” said Keith Valley Middle School Principal Jonathan Kircher.

About the Program

PASCD emerging leaders have typically been in the profession between 5 and 15 years, have a marked interest in making a positive contribution to education policy and practice, and have invested in professional growth opportunities aimed at improving student outcomes. The 2014 class is both professionally and regionally diverse, ranging from classroom teachers to administrators, hailing from across the state, and educating students from Erie to Philadelphia.

The leaders are enrolled in the program for two years and may be paired with a PASCD mentor—an Executive Board member, a local region board member, or a current Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Emerging Leader—who will provide support and help guide their development. This year’s leaders were invited to apply for the competitive program based on self-nominations and recommendations made by past program participants, current PASCD members, and the greater education community. An advisory panel composed of PASCD leaders, and current ASCD emerging leaders reviewed and selected the 2014 class.