Mr. Joseph E. McFarland, Jr.
Just as we strive to provide instruction tailored to the needs of each student, so too do we need to work to provide professional learning opportunities that meet the needs of each educator that are aligned with District goals and Strategic Plans as well as the educator’s professional learning goals. We must advocate for the importance and value of job-embedded professional learning to shift learning from an “event” to an on-going process that is highly valued at the local, state and national level.
I have been serving as Superintendent of the Derry Township School District in Hershey, Pennsylvania since August 2013. Prior to accepting the role of Superintendent, I was an elementary principal for eight years, the Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for four years (both in Derry Township), and an elementary teacher for fourteen years.
The individuals who have had the greatest impact on my professional learning journey are Dr. Dawn Wilson and Dr. Cindy Goldsworthy. Dawn was one of my coaches during my Learning Forward Academy experience and taught me to see challenges as opportunities and truly reinforced my belief that relationships are the foundation of all successful endeavors. Dr. Goldsworthy’s tireless commitment to championing and improving public education inspires me to continually seek improvement in myself and the organizations with which I am involved. Both have helped shape my vision for public education where every individual will discover his/her passions and talents to make positive contributions to the global community and to find excitement in learning and joy in life.
I have been serving as Superintendent of the Derry Township School District in Hershey, Pennsylvania since August 2013. Prior to accepting the role of Superintendent, I was an elementary principal for eight years, the Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for four years (both in Derry Township), and an elementary teacher for fourteen years.
The individuals who have had the greatest impact on my professional learning journey are Dr. Dawn Wilson and Dr. Cindy Goldsworthy. Dawn was one of my coaches during my Learning Forward Academy experience and taught me to see challenges as opportunities and truly reinforced my belief that relationships are the foundation of all successful endeavors. Dr. Goldsworthy’s tireless commitment to championing and improving public education inspires me to continually seek improvement in myself and the organizations with which I am involved. Both have helped shape my vision for public education where every individual will discover his/her passions and talents to make positive contributions to the global community and to find excitement in learning and joy in life.