Meet Our Executive Director

Daniel McCormick was born and raised in Watertown, Connecticut. His mother was a high school Spanish teacher for many years and then an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut. The importance of education was instilled in him from a very young age, and it was no surprise when he pursued his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. In 2003, Dan received his degree from Quinnipiac University and moved to New York City.
For nine years, Dan worked at the Talented and Gifted School for Young Scholars, a citywide K-8 gifted and talented school located in East Harlem. Dan was a 5th grade teacher and served as the Assistant Principal for five years. In that time, he worked with teachers to implement the Common Core State Standards and the Danielson Framework for Teaching. He worked closely with families and community members to support the school and its student body. The experience and knowledge he learned in those nine years helped guide him as he began the new and exciting venture of opening a brand new public elementary school. 
 
Dan opened the doors to PS 527 in District 2 in September 2012 and welcomed the founding class of the new school.  Since 2012, PS 527 grew into a respected and highly sought-after school on the Upper East Side.  Dan is proud of the successes and accomplishments of PS 527.  He credits that success to the staff and families of the school, as well as community members who have helped along the way. PS 527 was proudly awarded the Blackboard Award for “New and Noteworthy Grade School” in November 2013. Its Learning Environment Survey results are consistently positive. The school is part of the Diversity In Admissions Initiative and boasts a strong and influential Equity Team.  
During the 2018-2019 school year, Dan served as a Master Principal in District 2, coaching three of his first-year peers as they navigated their challenging inaugural year.  The next school year, he temporarily left PS 527 to become a Coaching Fellow, coaching twelve first-year principals across Manhattan and Queens. Coaching and mentoring was so rewarding, and real, positive impacts were made in leadership and school culture. Dan returned to PS 527 in July 2020 and led the school during the pandemic re-opening.  
Dan is excited to take on the role of Executive Director and to partner closely with the team of talented professionals at Neighborhood Charter Schools!