Fenty Names New Department of Parks and Recreation Director

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty today announced that Dr. Ximena Hartsock has been named acting director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).  
 
Dr. Ximena Hartsock
Director, Department of Parks and Recreation
Dr. Ximena Hartsock began her service in the Fenty Administration when she joined Chancellor Rhee's transition team in July 2007.  As a member of the transition team for District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), she collaborated with the school system in the areas of school leadership, bilingual education, foreign language, and out-of-school time.

Dr. Hartsock most recently served as the Deputy Chief for the Office of Teaching and Learning. While deputy chief, she created the DCPS Office of Out- of -School Time to provide strong programs to thousands of children and teens in the District through afterschool, summer school and Saturday school programs. Under her direction, the Office of Out-of-School Time created the first vetting process for out-of-school time providers and expanded afterschool, Saturday School and Summer School at the secondary level.
In addition to her duties as deputy chief, Dr. Hartsock headed the Office of Bilingual Education, the Office of Language Programs and directed the New Heights Program, a support program for teen parents.
In 2005, she served as assistant principal at Tubman Elementary, and in 2006 she was principal at Ross Elementary.  While principal, Ross ES posted significant gains in reading and math on the District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessment System (DC CAS).  Dr. Hartsock has also served as adjunct faculty at American University School of Education.  Her publications include The Relationship between Parent Involvement and Homework and the Mathematics Achievement of Hispanic English Language Learners (International Journal about Parents in Education, 2005).  

She has presented her research concerning Parent Involvement and Student Achievement in national and international conferences and also presented her work on best practices in Service Learning at the National Conference for Service Learning 2007.
After receiving a BA in Philosophy and Spanish Instruction, Dr. Hartsock taught high school in Chile and elementary school in Virginia. She went on to receive a MA in Education and a Doctorate in Administration Leadership and Policy.