Florida's First Choice for Autism Supports

Emily Hirshman

Emily Hirshman is an experienced leader in special education, currently serving as the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Director and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Facilitator at Manatee School for the Arts in Palmetto, Florida, since July 2022. In this role, she leads ESE initiatives, ensuring compliance with IDEA and ADA regulations, while managing a multidisciplinary team. Emily oversees professional development, hiring, and performance management, and has secured funding through successful grant applications. She has developed inclusive education programs that enhance student engagement and outcomes and serves as the primary consultant on ESE policies and compliance.   Emily previously served as the Student Support Specialist and Department Chair at Horizons Academy in Bradenton, FL, from 2019 to 2022. She provided instructional leadership, coordinated IEP conferences, and chaired the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), driving instructional improvement and student achievement. Emily also helped establish the ESE Student Center to support students with special needs.   Earlier in her career, Emily worked as a VE Teacher at Ballard Elementary School in Bradenton, FL, from 2018 to 2019, and as a Special Education Teacher at Wicomico County Public Schools in Salisbury, MD, from 2016 to 2018. In Maryland, she managed a self-contained classroom for students with emotional disabilities and led behavior intervention initiatives.   Emily holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from the University of Maryland.

Financial and Non-Financial Disclosures: Employed as ESE director in Manatee County, Fl. No non-financial disclosures.

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January 16, 2026
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