Debra Cassidy

Cahn Fellow 2019

Principal, P.S. 024 Andrew Jackson

Flushing, New York

For the past eight years, Debra Cassidy has been the principal of P.S. 24Q, an elementary school in Queens, NY.  P.S. 24’s students are primarily from China and Southeast Asia. Most of the student's families have recently immigrated and speak languages other than English.

By encouraging students to think deeply about complex texts and math situations, they will make sense of the world and develop their literacy and language skills. P.S. 24 ranks in the top 10% of schools in NYS. In 2017, P.S. 24 was selected as a NYC Showcase School for Math Instruction. P.S. 24's data was presented at the BIRE/The Council of Great City Schools. P.S. 24's success is because of a strong commitment to professional development, teacher teams, and relationships with our families and community.

Prior to becoming principal, Debra Cassidy was a fifth-grade teacher. She attended the NYC Leadership Academy.