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Curriculum & Instruction

A collage of photos of students.

 

The Department of Curriculum, Instruction & Technology helps to ensure that the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District, in partnership with our families and community, provides all students with a rigorous and culturally responsive learning environment. In addition, we strive to prove the social, emotional, and academic supports each student needs to achieve their goals and the skills they need for life-long learning. As educators we are committed to continuous improvement, whereby we demonstrate a growth mindset and embrace risk-taking and pedagogical innovation. 

The team of Pre-K - 12 curriculum and program coordinators, in collaboration with principals, instructional coaches, and educators, lead the district's curriculum  development in alignment with the New York State Learning Next Generation Learning Standards. We promote collaboration among educators within and across schools, levels, and content areas to design, implement, and support learning experiences that make authentic connections across disciplines, are meaningful and relevant to our students, our community, and our world, and lead to growth in student understanding. 

Our mission is to ensure that all students "Lead the Change. Embrace the Challenge. Inspire Excellence."

The vision of the Highland Falls – Fort Montgomery Central School District, valuing our community schools, is to provide all our students, educators, and the communities we serve with the global knowledge, cultural understanding, and skills needed to compete in the global community.  

Our motto Challenge. Engage. Empower. drives our work. 

We believe it is important to:

  • Provide an educational experience where our students and educators become leaders within the state, the nation, and the world.
  • Provide an environment for learning and personal development in which every student sees and can explain the relationship between what he or she studies and its application to an interconnected global community.
  • Provide excellent teaching, supported by high quality content and personalized attention to student learning, empowering our students to be responsible citizens and productive members of our ever-changing society.
  • Provide children with a safe and secure learning environment where they are inspired, guided, and challenged to learn about the world in which they live.

About our Asst. Superintendent

Dr. Crystal Waterman is an accomplished educator and educational leader with more than 30 years of experience in public education. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to academic excellence, continuous improvement, and creating learning environments where students and educators can thrive.

Dr. Waterman earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at New Paltz and holds graduate degrees in Early Childhood Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership from Long Island University. She earned her Doctorate in Education from Fordham University, with a focus on Urban Education and Social Justice.

Prior to joining the Highland Falls–Fort Montgomery Central School District, Dr. Waterman served for 15 years as an assistant principal and principal in New York City and Westchester County. Her leadership experience has centered on strengthening teaching and learning, improving student outcomes, developing educators, and building effective systems for continuous school improvement.

In August 2025, Dr. Waterman joined Highland Falls–Fort Montgomery as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology. In this role, she provides leadership for curriculum and instruction, professional learning, assessment and data systems, and educational technology. Her work is focused on strengthening instructional practices, supporting educators, and ensuring that all students have access to rigorous, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences.

Dr. Waterman is proud to serve the Highland Falls–Fort Montgomery community and is committed to advancing the district’s mission to Challenge, Engage, and Empower every learner.

Resources

Photo of Dr. Crystal Waterman

DR. CRYSTAL WATERMAN

Assistant Superintendent

District Office

crystal.waterman@hffmcsd.org

845-446-9575 ext. 1400

LORI SHELDON

Secretary

District Office

lori.sheldon@hffmcsd.org

845-446-9575 ext. 1600