Abby Kirchner
The Stone Independent School
Professional Roles and Responsibilities
Abby Kirchner serves as the Co-Founder, Assistant Head of School, and Director of Education at The Stone Independent School. Additionally, she holds roles as the Director of College Counseling, Dean of Curriculum, and 12th Grade Dean. Kirchner's extensive involvement in both administrative and educational functions underscores her pivotal role in the school’s operations and strategic educational approach.
Educational Philosophy and Leadership
Kirchner demonstrates a deep-seated commitment to a competency-based education (CBE) model, emphasizing the importance of skills proficiency, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial mindset. Her leadership at The Stone Independent School, which was co-founded in 2017 alongside Michael Simpson, focuses on delivering an interdisciplinary and experiential learning environment. She leverages her background and educational philosophy to mentor both students and educators, fostering a collaborative and reflective learning culture.
Key Initiatives and Achievements
- Implementation of CBE and PBL: Kirchner champions a problem-based learning (PBL) approach, guiding students toward deep learning and mastery through hands-on and iterative educational experiences. This methodology is designed to equip students with the skills necessary for future success across various professional and personal realms.
- Experiential Education Programs: Under her direction, The Stone Independent School has expanded its experiential education programs, including growth in STEM Honors programs, student leadership programming, and academic exhibition courses.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: Kirchner advocates for instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in students by integrating design thinking and problem-solving strategies into diverse subject matters. This initiative is embodied in the school’s requirement for students to engage in two Entrepreneurship courses.
Communication and Community Engagement
Kirchner places a high priority on transparent and proactive communication with the school community. Through formal letters and regular updates, she ensures that parents and guardians are well-informed about the educational practices, achievements, and growth initiatives at the school. Her August 2023 letter exemplifies her dedication to maintaining an active and dynamic dialogue about the school’s educational model and its impacts.
Institutional Development
Kirchner's strategic vision includes:
- Alignment Across Divisions: Focusing on creating uniformity in educational experiences across middle and upper school divisions.
- Competency Measurement: Introducing processes to capture benchmark skills proficiency through pre-assessments, mid-year, and end-of-year evaluations. This data-driven approach aims to enhance curricular design and support student growth.
Conclusion
Abby Kirchner’s role at The Stone Independent School encompasses a broad spectrum of leadership and educational responsibilities. Her initiatives in experiential learning, competency-based education, and entrepreneurial mindset development are pivotal in shaping the school's progressive educational framework. Her active engagement with the school community further reinforces her commitment to fostering a nurturing and innovative learning environment.
Contact Information
- LinkedIn Profile: [Abby Kirchner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-kirchner-364a9b1a)
- Email & Phone Number: Information available via internal school resources or ZoomInfo profile.
