DMPS Educator Selected for ASCD’s 2011 Class of Emerging Leaders

Leading national education nonprofit ASCD has selected Stefanie Rosenberg Wager, Curriculum Coordinator at Des Moines Public Schools for its 2011 class of Emerging Leaders. The Emerging Leaders program recognizes and prepares young, promising educators to influence education programs, policy, and practice on both the local and national levels. ASCD is the global leader in providing programs, products, and services that empower educators to support the success of each learner.

This year’s leaders were invited to apply for the competitive program based on self-nominations and recommendations made by past program participants, current ASCD members, and the greater education community. Once ASCD received the online applications, an advisory panel composed of ASCD staff, leaders, and Emerging Leader alumni reviewed and selected this year’s class.

The leaders are enrolled in the program for two years, and may be paired with an ASCD mentor—a Board of Directors member, Leadership Council member, affiliate leader, or other high-level contributor—who will provide support and help to guide their development. Wager will also attend ASCD’s Leader to Leader (L2L) Conference in late July, where she will have the chance to grow as an ASCD leader and access new ideas, resources, and best practices from ASCD leaders, presenters, and staff.

“I’m excited to be a part of ASCD’s Emerging Leaders program, and am looking forward to the opportunity to grow as a professional,” said Wager, a Curriculum Coordinator for Des Moines Public Schools. “I believe this program will help me become a more effective educator in my community.”

Emerging Leaders have generally been in the profession between 5 and 15 years, have a marked interest in making a positive contribution to education policy and practice, and have invested in professional growth opportunities aimed at improving student outcomes. The 2011 class of Emerging Leaders is both professionally and regionally diverse, ranging from reading specialists to effectiveness managers, hailing from across the globe and educating students from Iowa to Argentina.

“We are proud to work with this group of outstanding young people and provide them with the tools and connections to help them on their journey to become leaders in education,” said ASCD Executive Director and CEO Gene Carter. “This 2011 group of leaders is such a passionate group of teachers and administrators, and we’re proud to induct them into the program.”

For more information on ASCD’s Emerging Leaders program or to learn more about ASCD and ASCD membership, visit www.ascd.org.