Ploeger, Benjamin J. (bjp2132)

Dr. Ben Ploeger serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Summer Principals Academy at Teachers College, Columbia University. He has co-taught “ORLA 5025: The Ecology of Data Driven Leadership” together with Dr. Perkins for a decade, and is passionate about developing the next generation of school leaders. His work with SPA complements his practice as a Superintendent by keeping him firmly grounded in teaching, learning, and using data to drive instruction.

Dr. Ploeger is the Director General (Superintendent) of the American School of Asunción (ASA) in Paraguay. ASA is a non-profit PK-G12 day school where 815 students from over 30 nations can graduate with both a USA and a Paraguay diploma. Prior to ASA, Dr. Ploeger was the Superintendent of Schools at Kaohsiung American School (KAS) in Taiwan. During Ploeger's time at KAS, faculty turnover decreased, academic performance increased, and the school’s enrollment and waiting list reached the highest levels in the school’s history.

Dr. Ploeger’s first headship was at Eagle Ridge Academy Charter High School (ERA) in Brighton, CO, where he served as Principal and Head of School. ERA was a high performing but fiscally endangered school when Dr. Ploeger joined the team. In his time at ERA he led a successful financial turnaround, raised test scores, and steered the school through several successful charter renewals. Dr. Ploeger previously served as an Academy Director and a math teacher at Sarah T. Reed Senior High School, a high-need public school in New Orleans. His interest in education began while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the island nation of Vanuatu, where he taught middle school math and science.

Dr. Ploeger earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, his M.A. in Educational Leadership and his M.A.T. in Secondary Math Instruction from Xavier University of Louisiana, and his Ed.M. and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.