Lisa Hope Hirsch
Sedona
Summary
An educational leader with proven track record of driving academic success and fostering collaborative school environment. Expertise in curriculum development, staff training, and student engagement. Known for adaptability, reliability, and results-driven approach that aligns with institutional goals and changing educational needs.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal
West Sedona School
07.2007 - 06.2015
- Set vision, goals and collaborative atmosphere
- Supervised and evaluated teachers and support staff
- Created and sustained the District Wide STEM Council
- Led effort in West Sedona’s APS STEM School of the Future
- Led district wide Advanced Ed Accreditation
- Budget Override and District Bond Committee participant
- Led district wide revision of teacher evaluation process and instrument
- Led transition to Whole School Title One
- Integrated district ESY program into General Ed Summer School
- Instituted Middle School Honors Program
- Instituted Family Center for ELL students and parents
- Arts Integration Immersion Projects
- Instituted the Anti-Defamation League’s A Classroom of Difference and No Place for Hate
- Grants: APS STEM School of the Future, Gardens for Humanity, AZ Council for the Arts, AZ Science Center, ADOT Safe Routes to School, Sedona Community Foundation Teaching Tolerance, SEDI Awards
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting open communication among staff, students, and parents.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Led school improvement efforts by setting clear expectations for staff performance and providing regular feedback on progress towards goals.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders to foster trust, collaboration, and commitment to shared goals.
Principal/Educator
Sedona Charter School
07.2015 - Current
- Lead Teacher Upper Elementary
- Title One Program Coordinator, Leader of Title One Cycle4 State Audit
- Conduct staff development in Common Core and Continuous Improvement Plans
- Reorganized educational delivery schedule
- APS STEM Grant recipient
Principal
Desert Mountain High School
07.2017 - 06.2024
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting open communication among staff, students, and parents.
- Managed budgets and resources efficiently to ensure optimal allocation of funds for school programs and initiatives.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Led school improvement efforts by setting clear expectations for staff performance and providing regular feedback on progress towards goals.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders to foster trust, collaboration, and commitment to shared goals.
- Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards.
- Mentored new teachers during their induction period resulting in higher retention rates of quality educators.
Curriculum Director
Sedona Oak Creek School District
07.2005 - 06.2007
- Forecasted needs and available resources for staff development
- Formed and implemented the district’s Literacy Council
- Curriculum adoption district wide, lead collaborative summer mapping work
- Conducted Differentiated Instruction workshops
- Developed goals, objectives and time lines with superintendent and principals
- Analyzed and presented test score data
- Designed and sustained new teacher mentoring program
- Artist in the Classroom City Wide Coordinator
- Active school and classroom visits for observations and feedback
Founding Teacher, Administrative Team
Sedona Red Rock High School
01.1994 - 01.2005
- Teacher leader for curriculum development, staff development and school wide policies
- Produced the Curriculum Pathways guide for students and parents
- Shared LEA responsibilities for Special Education students
- Produced the Staff Development Handbook and Notebook for ongoing staff development
- Implemented and lead the Graduation by Exhibition process
- Student discipline administrator, part time
- Evaluated staff
- North Central Accreditation Steering Committee Co-Leader
Social Studies Teacher
University Heights High School
01.1989 - 01.1994
- Interdisciplinary Curriculum Project Creator, Coached Basketball, Implemented Graduation by Exhibition Process
- Team Director – Reported directly to the principal, coordinated with three other team directors, master scheduling, evaluation of staff1992-1994
- Discipline ‘Fairness Committee’ Coordinator, trained and led20 students in conflict resolution and mediation practices.1990-1994
Education
Superintendent Certificate
Northern Arizona University
05.2016
EdD - Curriculum and Instruction
Northern Arizona University
12.2004
Principal’s Certificate Program - undefined
Northern Arizona University
01.2001
MA - Teaching Social Studies
Columbia Teachers College
07.1989
BA - Economics, Minor English
Tufts University
05.1986
Skills
- Employee performance evaluations
- Staff management
- Verbal and written communication
- Training and mentoring
- Staff development
- Strategic leadership
Awards
- SEDI, Sustainable Economic Development Recognition Award2016,2014
- People’s Choice Educator of the Year Sedona2014,2015
- Mayor’s Arts Awards Runner Up2013
- Praxis Principal’s Panel NAU2013
- Advanced Ed Accreditation Team, Quality Assurance Review2008
- Sedona Chamber of Commerce Leadership of the Year Award2006
- Gates Foundation, Small Schools Project2005
- The National Society of High School Scholars – Claes Nobel2005
- Golden Bell Award Runner Up, Graduation by Exhibition2000
- Phoenix Suns Educator Award2000
Training
- McRel School Leadership Training2014-2015
- Autism and Behavior Intervention Training through ADE,2 year training course
- Reporting Requirements Training2009
- On the Mark with School Safety: Leadership Training2008
- TRUST Leadership Academy, School Law2008
- Meeting Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Children2008
- Professional Learning Communities that Work2007
- Anti-Defamation League, A Classroom of Difference2005
- Principal and the Law Conferences2000-Present
- Level1-4 Teacher Evaluation ASBA
- AIMS Consensus Process ADE2001
- Project Adventure, high and low ropes trained
Related Teaching and Leadership Experiences
- Adjunct Professor Northern Arizona University2005-2013
- MATForce – School liaison,2005-2014
- Verde Valley Forum for Public Affairs, Secretary of the Board, Participant Selection Committee Chair,2014-Present
- Coalition of Essential Schools, Vice President National Executive Board2004-2008
- Martin Springer Institute for Teaching Tolerance and Moral Courage, Executive Board
- AIMS consensus process with state Superintendent Jaime Molera2001
Accomplishments
- Set high-level goals for both students and teachers to encourage both parties to strive for personal best and succeeded in implementing long-term strategy with positive results.
- Managed school operations for 2,000 students.
- Awarded "AZ State Thespian, Principal of the Year" in 2019.
- Established school's social media presence and automated phone system to alert parents and students of critical or time-sensitive information.
Timeline
Principal
Desert Mountain High School
07.2017 - 06.2024
Principal/Educator
Sedona Charter School
07.2015 - Current
Principal
West Sedona School
07.2007 - 06.2015
Curriculum Director
Sedona Oak Creek School District
07.2005 - 06.2007
Founding Teacher, Administrative Team
Sedona Red Rock High School
01.1994 - 01.2005
Social Studies Teacher
University Heights High School
01.1989 - 01.1994
EdD - Curriculum and Instruction
Northern Arizona University
Principal’s Certificate Program - undefined
Northern Arizona University
MA - Teaching Social Studies
Columbia Teachers College
BA - Economics, Minor English
Tufts University
Superintendent Certificate
Northern Arizona University
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