DALLAS—April 2, 2009—National Staff Development Council Executive Director Stephanie Hirsh recently announced the appointment of Thomas Manning, who becomes Associate Director of Member Initiatives, as well as the promotion of Tracy Crow to Associate Director of Publications.

Manning will be responsible for online learning initiatives, web-based communication with members, and interactive aspects of NSDC’s web site, including blogs, communities, and webinars. He comes to NSDC with a background in media, communications, and online course development. Prior to joining NSDC, he served as a managing editor at Higher Ed Holdings, a Dallas-based company that partners with universities to provide online graduate programs. Tom has also been a case writer for the Houston-based non-profit Center for Reform of School Systems. He has a background in print journalism, covering education and other topics as a reporter for the Houston Chronicle and other Texas newspapers. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and journalism from Texas Christian University in 1995.

“I’m excited about providing our members with innovative learning opportunities, as well as new ways for teachers to collaborate and learn from one another in online communities of practice,” Manning said.

Crow began her tenure with NSDC in July 2005 as webmaster and in 2007 was named editor of the JSD and the NSDC web site. Along with her new title, she will assume responsibility and oversight for all NSDC journals, newsletters, and web-based publications.

“Just as Tom will help NSDC build meaningful connections among members so they can best learn from one another, one of my goals is to weave together our online and print publications in such a way that members have a useful toolbox of NSDC resources to meet all of their professional learning needs,” said Crow.