Renowned Harvard Educator with Deep Ties to Philadelphia and Lancaster to Debut his New Book in Lancaster April 19th

A renowned Harvard educator with deep ties to the community in Lancaster as well as in Philadelphia, Irvin L. Scott, Ed.D., will celebrate the launch of his new book, Leading with Heart and Soul: 30 Inspiring Lessons of Faith, Learning, and Leadership for Educators, in a return to the high school where he began his professional career, J. P. McCaskey High School, on Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

Dr. Scott will read selections from the book, answer questions from the audience, and sign copies of the book for attendees. In addition, the Alumni of McCaskey Gospel Choir, of which Scott was once a leader, will make a special appearance on the program, presented by the Lancaster Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Arts and Letters.

The event, which is free of charge, is moderated by Kesha Morant Williams, Ph.D., a McCaskey alum who was taught by Scott. Williams is the Senior Advisor for College Diversity, Equity & Belonging and Professor of Humanities and Communication Arts at Elizabethtown College.

Drawing on spiritual principles and Scott's experience as a classroom, school, district, and non-profit leader, Leading with Heart and Soul is his first book, and is a heartfelt memoir of his own life lessons and real situations that have inspired his career.

In the book, Scott also details how his personal, professional, and spiritual life were intertwined in a way that strengthened each aspect of his identity.

Scott began his professional education experience in the classroom as an English teacher and choral director for 15 years at McCaskey High School. He also served as the principal of McCaskey East High Schools for four years.

As principal, Scott led a team of teachers and administrators to reform the 3,200-student high school into eight small learning communities, as well as to develop core curricula for all students. He also directed Project Forward Leap, a nonprofit, academic enrichment program for urban, middle-school scholars in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Lancaster Pennsylvania.

Scott joined the faculty of Harvard Graduate School of Education during the summer of 2016. At Harvard, Scott's concentration is educational leadership. He also leads the initiative to bring faith and education communities together, the Leadership Institute for Faith and Education (L.I.F.E.), started in 2017 at Harvard.

Before coming to Harvard, Scott served for five years as the Deputy Director for K-12 Education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he led the investment of $300 million in initiatives focused on transforming how teachers are recruited, developed, and rewarded. This work was built on existing efforts that were occurring in the Gates Foundation's Intensive Partnership.

At the Gates Foundation, Scott also led a team to initiate the Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers experience, which has become a teacher-driven movement and can be found in a majority of states across the country. This teacher-led effort involves bringing thousands of teachers together to collaborate with their peers, engage in teacher leadership, and celebrate the profession. In an effort to address educational inequities in the U.S., Scott also led an effort at the Foundation to build strong partnerships and deeper engagement between faith-based organizations that serve underrepresented students, families, and communities.

Prior to his Foundation work, Scott spent over 20 years working in the "trenches" as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and chief academic officer. Right before going to the Foundation, Scott was the Chief Academic Officer for Boston Public Schools, where he was responsible for the academic programming of the school systems, as well as overseeing all regional superintendents and schools in the district. Scott previously served as high school academic superintendent for the district and co-chaired Harvard University's Urban School Leader' Summer Institute.

In 2006, Scott was selected into the Urban Superintendents Program at Harvard University. After completing a year of intense course work, he interned with John Deasy, superintendent of the Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland from 2007-2008. During that time, he led a team to plan and implement the district's new Leadership Development Office for 225 principals.

Scott holds a bachelor's degree from Millersville University, a master's degree in education from Temple University, and a master's and doctoral degree from Harvard University.

Jim DeLorenzo
Jim DeLorenzo Public Relations
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Philadelphia, PA 19103

Leading with Heart and Soul: 30 Inspiring Lessons of Faith, Learning, and Leadership for Educators is published by Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Brand and is available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other booksellers. The paperback is listed at $25.

Additional information about Scott and his book Leading with Heart and Soul is available online at https://www.irvinleonscott.com.

This release was published on openPR.