When the District received a historic five-year $5 million federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant to Implement high-quality STREAM programming (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), it found in Drew Hirshon the ideal leader to serve as Director of Magnet Schools.
With nearly two decades in education, Mr. Hirshon – whose career started in the District in 2007 – is now back to administer the grant and train those who will help lead the District and its scholars into new horizons.
It is Mr. Hirshon’s unique set of educational experiences, knowledge, and skills that make him a valuable asset as “Project Heroes” is implemented at Park View Elementary, Risley International Academy of Innovation and Centennial High School.
“I believe that all students should have access to rigorous Project-Based Learning, no matter their background or race,” Mr. Hirshon said. “It’s my love for engaging students and educators in innovative classroom practices that brought me full circle back to District 60, where I will lead implementation of Project-Based Learning and STREAM education through the Magnet Schools grant.”
At an early age, the necessity of hard work and perseverance became evident to Mr. Hirshon.
Before he graduated from Centaurus High School, where he excelled academically and athletically, Mr. Hirshon found it necessary to learn to care of himself, as his father was forced to take two jobs in order to support the family.
“I have to thank my teachers, coaches and counselors for helping me get to where I am today,” he said. “Because of these individuals, I selected education as my career so that I can support students the same way I was supported.
“My goal has always been to give back through teaching and coaching. The more connected students are to the real world/authentic learning, the deeper the learning of content and success skills, which enables them to see the ‘why’ in learning concepts and skills.”
In 2007, Mr. Hirshon officially started his career at Centennial High School, where he also student taught. He then went on to become part of the team that started Corwin International Magnet School. There, he taught math, PE and science, and coached basketball, football, and track.
“I then went over to Pueblo Central High, where I coached football and baseball and also taught PE and math,” he said. “I went on to become the STEM Teacher on Special Assignment/PBL Coordinator when we received the Magnet School Assistance Program grant.”
Mr. Hirshon’s educational background is diverse, including studies in Exercise Science; Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education; Leadership; Career and Technical Education; and STEM.
He also is certified in Project Lead the Way; Biomedical Science, CTE; and STEM, with a “Teachers Teaching Teachers” certification in Geographic Information Systems through the Environmental Systems Research Institute.
“I also helped lead the charge in certifying the first STEM high school west of the Mississippi through AdvancEd accreditation,” he said.
In the process of working toward his doctorate in Educational Leadership, Mr. Hirshon is on the National Faculty for PBL Works: the leading researchers and providers of Project-Based Learning.
“In this role, I am able to support teachers, schools, and districts around the world in the implementation of Project-Based Learning,” he said.
Mr. Hirshon remains passionate about the use of technology for innovation in the classroom and has worked with Apple to help develop professional development and technology implementation for a local district. He also wrote a STEM curriculum for School Retooled in California.
Before returning to the District, Mr. Hirshon served as Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction in District 70, where he led new teachers in the induction program, led professional learning planning and facilitation, and supported all secondary education and CTE.
He earlier was a STEM teacher at the first K-8 “Maker”/ Project Based School in Pueblo, where he later served as principal.
“What made me want to come back to the District is the opportunity to grow STREAM and PBL here,” Mr. Hirshon said. “My passion has always been STREAM and PBL. Being National Faculty for PBL Works has given me the opportunity to help districts and schools around the world implement PBL.
"Now, I get the opportunity to use my more than 10 years experience and knowledge in those areas to support the growth in my own community.”
