The Abington School District announced that Dr. Carmen Lesesne has been hired as the district’s new Equity Officer.

Dr. Lesesne, who was appointed at the February 27 meeting of the Board of School Directors, comes to Abington after previously serving as an assistant professor at Lincoln University in the graduate school of education.

“She brings a wealth of experience in the area of equity leadership, also having served as the Supervisor of Equity and Assessment for the West Chester Area School District, a racial equity coach for a national consulting firm, and a principal and equity task force member for a Greater Philadelphia-area charter school,” the district said in a statement.

“As one of the first school districts in the state to implement such a position, we look forward to having Dr. Lesesne serve as the Abington School District Equity Officer and continue our decades-long commitment to educating all students through inclusive and equitable practices,” Dr. Jeffrey Fecher, Superintendent of Schools, said.

The position of Equity Officer in Abington School District was initially created in the fall of 2019 in an effort to assess and cultivate equity to enhance recruitment and retention of staff, provide professional development, and promote the achievement of students from diverse and under-represented populations within the district, officials said.

The Equity Officer works with school leaders to address disparate impact and ensure the K-12 curriculum reflects a diverse set of perspectives, and with students to continue to provide opportunity for their voices to be heard, the district said.

“I am proud to welcome Dr. Lesesne to the Abington School District family,” said Board President Mrs. Shameeka Browne. “Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key elements that enable all students to reach their highest potential. I am excited to have Dr. Lesesne help us to continue in this work.”

Dr. Lesesne earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Lincoln University, and her Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. She also obtained her Principal Certification from Cabrini College, and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University.

“I am excited to be joining the Abington School District community,” Lesesne said. “I am appreciative of the warm welcome I have already received, and look forward to making connections and being of service to the students, staff, and families in ASD.”

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Photo: ASD