Michelle Verdiner

Cahn Fellow 2019

Principal, Teachers College Community School

Manhattan, New York

Michelle Verdiner has been principal at Teachers College Community School (TCCS) since 2015. Before that, she spent fourteen years as a speech pathologist/teacher of speech and hearing handicapped, special education coordinator, and four years as assistant principal, all in the New York City Department of Education. Principal Verdiner is especially passionate about meeting each student where he or she is. She guides her school with a “Theory of Action” that calls upon staff to work together to use data to tailor instruction so that all students can demonstrate mastery of standards. The school community is marked by collaboration, inclusion, empowering student voice, commitment to ongoing professional development, and strong parent involvement. A hallmark of TCCS is its long-term partnership with Teachers College. Ms. Verdiner holds a bachelor's degree from Hampton University, and two master’s degrees from Adelphi University: one in speech pathology and one in educational leadership and technology.