Welcome

Welcome to the Curriculum and Instruction webpage. Here, you will find information related to the K-12 Instructional Program of the Hastings on Hudson Union Free School District. 

Our district is committed to continuous learning and systemic improvement. We use a research-based approach to guide our actions and honor the principles and practices of improvement science as foundational to our change efforts. Examples of our ongoing curricular work include:

• Facilitating ongoing curriculum review, using a multi-phase cycle of inquiry, development, implementation, and evaluation 

• Fostering coherence and articulation of academic content areas across the district

• Coordinating professional learning opportunities for all faculty constituents

• Partnering with educators to strengthen the use of data and instructional practices

• Providing oversight and analysis of student assessments

• Managing state, federal, and local grants

We hope you find the information on this page helpful toward understanding the current content, assessment practices, resources, and approaches used to support the growth of students as they move through the Hastings system. Our goal is to create a strong, engaging, student-centered learning environment where all learners thrive to their fullest potential.

Melissa Szymanski, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction

With more than 20 years of teaching and educational leadership experience, Dr. Szymanski joined the Hastings team in June 2019 as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, a new role for the district. In her previous role, she served as Principal of Concord Road Elementary School in Ardsley to further her passion for educating children to become strong, critical thinkers and passionate learners. Her work at Ardsley provided her with a strong foundation for the position by affording her meaningful experience in designing and leading curriculum work in literacy, STEM, mathematics, and technology; planning and leading professional development; developing curriculum leaders; supervising and coaching teachers; and enhancing the collection and use of formative data. Prior to her leadership as an assistant principal and then principal at Ardsley, Dr. Szymanski taught elementary-aged children at Corlears School in New York City Roaring Brook School in Chappaqua. Additionally, Dr. Szymanski has served as both an instructor for Bank Street College of Education’s Future School Leaders Academy and Fordham University’s School District Leader program.