Monica Berry

Cahn Fellow 2019

Principal, P.S. 087 William Sherman

Manhattan, New York

Monica Berry is the principal of P.S. 87 William T. Sherman located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She joined the New York City Department of Education in September 1999. Before becoming a principal in August 2009, Monica served as a classroom teacher, a bilingual grant director, and a math staff developer. As the principal of PS 87, she has been committed to creating a supportive school culture that promotes academic risk-taking in both adults and children and encourages students to become self-directed and creative problem-solvers through inquiry and exploration. Her ultimate goal is that the students in her school become proactive and productive members of any community they join. Monica strongly believes that learning is a collaborative process that all members of the school community engage in. This has been the driving force behind the work that she has done throughout her tenure in the Department of Education.