Jon is an experienced principal with deep experience in Westchester County that has prepared him well to guide IHS to continued success while helping the school community and its students to achieve its fullest potential,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristopher Harrison said.

As an administrator, instructional leader and innovator, Hirsch has a proven history of program development, community partnership and a commitment to empowering students and teachers to promote engagement and the development of 21^st-century skills. His philosophy is that schools must focus on two primary areas: rigor and joy. 

“With that in mind, Jon will seek to collaborate with the faculty to provide the very best learning experience to prepare them for college and life beyond IHS, while building school spirit and ensuring that our students’ time in high school are positive, enjoyable experiences,” Dr. Harrison said.

Hirsch most recently served as principal at Valhalla High School, where he led a high-performing and diverse high school. During his tenure, he expanded programs to support students’ social-emotional needs, increase engagement, ensure access and opportunity for all students, and created a leadership structure for teachers. Prior to that, he served as assistant principal at Ardsley High School, director and co-creator of the Learning Interdependently From Experience School at Horace Greeley High School, as well as a special education teacher at Horace Greeley High School. Hirsch began his educational career as a special education teacher and program designer with the New York City Public Schools.

“I am tremendously excited to join the Irvington school community,” Hirsch said. “It is not often that you get the opportunity to be part of a community that values its schools as much as Irvington does. I am committed to ensuring that IHS remains a place of high standards and academic rigor, while at the same time making sure that every student is cared for and that the high school years are joyous ones. Having met with the faculty and students at Irvington High School and getting to know the leadership team, I understand how special the school is. I look forward to getting to know all members of the Irvington High School community better, beginning this summer.”

Hirsch holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, with minors in history and African studies from Drew University, a master’s degree in special education from Long Island University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lehman College.

The Irvington UFSD Board of Education appointed Sara Rust to serve as assistant principal at Irvington High School.

Rust joined the District in September 2015 as the secondary instructional coach. In this capacity, she has worked closely with middle and high school faculty and administrators to support growth in instructional practices and to strengthen and expand curriculum. Additionally, she has been a leader in the District’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, serving as a facilitator of culturally responsive-sustaining education lead learner training.

“Ms. Rust’s deep instructional and curricular expertise, coupled with her well-established relationships within the school community, will quickly prove to be an asset in her new role as the interim assistant principal,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristopher Harrison said. “Working in partnership with Principal Hirsch and the IHS faculty and staff, Ms. Rust is eager to engage with our students and their families to create a memorable school year filled with impressive student growth and achievement, as well as joyful school experiences.”

Prior to joining the Irvington UFSD faculty, Rust worked in New York City as an English as a new language teacher, science teacher and a curriculum developer. Her professional writing has been published in multiple media outlets, including The New York Times. She holds multiple degrees, having studied at Fordham University, Hunter College, University of Michigan and Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. .