The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) has recognized Hunters Lane High School’s Susan Kessler as a 2011 Outstanding Young Educator honoree. Kessler was one of three selected for this national honor during a leadership luncheon at the ASCD national conference in San Francisco, CA.

Kessler is executive principal at the high school where she leads and instructs more than 1,700 students. She has worked with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools for more than 14 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and executive principal.

ASCD’s Outstanding Young Educator Award Program began in 2002. This award recognizes creative and committed teachers and administrators under the age of 40 who are making a difference in the lives of children. These educators are developing and using best practices to ensure all children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged. In addition, ASCD highlights young educators as models for all young education professionals or prospective educators. ASCD envisions; sharing the expertise and exemplary practices of the outstanding young educators to help build the skills of ASCD members and the larger education community. Leveraging the passion and enthusiasm of the outstanding young educators to attract people to the field and mobilize other young educators to continuously improve their practice and become education leaders. Supporting opportunities for the outstanding young educators to network, build leadership skills, and participate in professional development.