Stephanie Hirsh

Position: Executive director, National Staff Development Council, effective July 1, 2007.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social studies education, University of Texas. Master’s degree in education administration, University of North Texas. Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction, University of North Texas.

Career path: Joined NSDC in 1988 as associate executive director. Previously had been director of program and staff development, Richardson Independent School District (RISD) in suburban Dallas, Texas. Began her career as a classroom teacher at Lake Highland Junior High School and Berkner High School in RISD in 1975.

Publications: Co-author with Shirley Hord and Patricia Roy, Moving NSDC’s Staff Development Standards Into Practice, Volume II (NSDC, 2005). Co-author with Kay Psencik, Transforming Schools Through Powerful Planning (NSDC, 2004). Co-author with Dennis Sparks, New Vision for Staff Development (ASCD & NSDC, 1997).

Led the research and writing for NSDC’s Standards for Staff Development, 1995 and 2001. Co-author with Ann Delehant and Sherry Sparks, Keys to Successful Meetings (NSDC, 1994). Co-author with Mike Murphy, School Improvement Planning Manual (NSDC, 1991).

Co-author with Gerald Ponder and Karen Wiggins, Exploring Texas (Steck Vaughn, 1985). Began and edited School Team Innovator, an NSDC newsletter published 1994-96. Author of numerous articles published in JSD and other education publications.

Civic and community activity: Member, Richardson Independent School District (RISD) Board of Trustees, 1996-2005. Dal-Rich Exchange Club program chair, 2002- 04. Temple Shalom Congregation strategic planning committee (1999, 2006), board of trustees (1984-90). Member, Jewish Community Center board of directors (2004-present). Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas education committee and ex-officio member board of directors (1988-94). Numerous volunteer positions with elementary, junior, and senior high school PTAs and local school councils in RISD.

Awards and honors: Master Trustee Status, Texas Associations of School Boards, 2002. Lifetime Achievement Award for Significant Contribution to Staff Development in Texas, Texas Staff Development Council, 1999. Distinguished Alumnae, University of North Texas, Department of Secondary Education, 1989. Educator of the Year, Junior Achievement, 1985. Distinguished Dissertation Award, Kappa Delta Pi, 1983. Outstanding Young Women of America, 1982.

Personal: Married to Michael Hirsh for 31 years. Mother of two adult children, Brian and Leslie. Lives in Dallas, Texas.