Executive Director of Learning Forward Named Chair of Learning First Alliance’s Board of Directors

Stephanie Hirsh brings wealth of leadership experience to LFA as organization continues its work for the advancement of public education 

Washington, D.C. – June 23, 2015 – The Learning First Alliance (LFA), a partnership of leading education organizations representing more than 10 million parents, educators and policymakers, has named Stephanie Hirsh, executive director of Learning Forward, as the 2015-16 chair of LFA’s Board of Directors. Committed to increasing student achievement and educator effectiveness through standards-based professional learning, Hirsh has served in her current position at Learning Forward since 2007. Learning Forward is a membership association focused on building the capacity of leaders to establish and sustain highly effective professional learning.

“Stephanie Hirsh’s extensive experience as a teacher, administrator, school board member, and organizational leader has positively impacted the students and educators she has served, as well as public education as a whole,” said Cheryl S. Williams, executive director of the Learning First Alliance. “Now, as the chair of LFA’s Board of Directors, Stephanie will be instrumental in leading our organization’s efforts to promote successful work in our nation’s public schools and the continued and long-term improvement of our public education system.” 

Before her appointment as executive director of Learning Forward, which has more than 10,000 members and 40 state and provincial affiliates, Hirsh served the association as deputy executive director for 18 years. She began her career as a secondary teacher and later served as a school district administrator in the Richardson (TX) Independent School District. In 1996 she was elected to the Richardson school board and served for three terms. Today, Hirsh advises policymakers, state and local superintendents, foundation leaders, and other thought leaders on improving student learning through effective professional learning and school improvement.  

Hirsh also presents, publishes, and consults on Learning Forward’s behalf across North America. Her recent books include Becoming a Learning System (2014), co-authored with Frederick Brown and Kay Psencik; A School Board Guide to Leading Successful Schools (2013), co-authored with Anne Foster;  A Playbook for Professional Learning (2011), co-authored with Shirley Hord; The Learning Educator (2009), co-authored with Joellen Killion; and, Transforming Schools Through Powerful Planning (2006), co-authored with Kay Psencik. Hirsh writes a regular column for JSD, Learning Forward’s bi-monthly magazine. She has also written articles for Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, The Record, The School Administrator, American School Board Journal, The High School Magazine, and Education Week. 

Hirsh serves on the advisory boards Knowledge Alliance, University of Texas College of Education, and National STEM Equity Pipeline. She has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Learning Forward Texas; as a Distinguished Alumnae from the University of North Texas; and, as Master Trustee and member of an Honor Board from the Texas School Boards Association. 

In addition to the appointment of Hirsh as chair, LFA’s Board of Directors has elected Thomas J. Gentzel, executive director of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), as its 2015-16 secretary treasurer.

To learn more about the LFA, visit www.learningfirst.org. 

About The Learning First Alliance

The Learning First Alliance is a partnership of leading education organizations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools. Alliance members include: the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, AASA: The School Superintendents Association,  American Federation of Teachers, American School Counselor Association, ASCD, International Society for Technology in Education, Learning Forward (formerly National Staff Development Council), National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Education Association, National PTA, National School Boards Association, National School Public Relations Association, and Phi Delta Kappa International. The Alliance maintains www.learningfirst.org, a website that features what’s working in public schools and districts across the country. 

###