FACULTY & STAFF

Our faculty consists of more than 50 educators and administrators with both personal and professional dedication to the school. We make a concerted effort to maintain a balance of mentor teachers, with years of experience, and younger teachers just starting their careers. The composition of our teaching staff also parallels the diversity of our student body.

Our teachers’ daily work is turning ideals into reality. They encourage taking risks with discussion and informed debate. These teachers become lifelong role-models for their students and for our many teachers in training.

Because we support teacher-training programs at Bank Street College, City College, New York University, and Teachers College, Columbia University, among others, assistant teachers in many of our classrooms offer students yet another level of individualized attention.

I am thinking about all of the faculty who have gone to other places; people like me who were head teachers, but also the assistants, interns, and students from over the years. We received all the school had to offer us – a superlative and unique education, at multiple levels, in how the best school in the country works. Those who stay on continue to deepen their understandings as they give back in expertise and inspiration within the building.
– Valerie Gutwirth (7-8s Teacher, 1991-1994)

I was a student teacher, assistant teacher, and teacher at MCS from 1981-1986, still the best and most meaningful years in my professional life. The spirit, commitment to humanity, and striving for excellence and truth in education made a lasting impression on me. I have so many strong and fond memories of students and faculty at MCS.
– Emily Dreifus (7-8s Teacher, 1982-1986)

Michèle Solá has been the
director of Manhattan Country School since 1997. She joined the faculty in 1982, teaching Spanish and directing professional development and outreach projects. She believes that Manhattan Country School is a laboratory where educators can see the vitality of sharing multiple perspectives, finding common ground, and applying learning to contemporary social justice challenges. Michèle takes every opportunity to visit model schools locally and around the world. During her tenure, the school has been awarded the "Rising Star" Middle School Blackboard Award and has been cited for its groundbreaking youth activism projects. In addition, the school has been profiled as a model of environmental education by the Center for Environmental Education and the Orfelea Foundation.

Michèle Solá graduated from Cornell University (B.A.), Indiana University (M.A.T.), and Boston University (Ed.D.). She has received awards for intercultural research, curriculum in second language, and for leadership projects in independent schools. Most recently she was selected as a Visiting Fellow at the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University.