BRIAN COHEN
Newton,MA
Summary
Experienced education professional with 20 years in schools as administrator, instruction-curriculum leader, and classroom teacher. Skilled at fostering collaborative partnerships and creating inclusive learning environments. Known for inspiring success and utilizing strong communication skills to build consensus among stakeholders. Most recognized for uncommon levels of authenticity and sincerity.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of School
METROWEST JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
06.2020 - Current
- Company Overview: MWJDS is an independent Jewish small school serving students in grades K-8.
- Lead education programs, partnerships, operations, recruitment, fundraising, and strategic planning in collaboration with the school Board.
- Foster a positive school culture by strengthening relationships among faculty, staff, students, and families, and integrating social-emotional learning into curriculum and student supports.
- Oversee faculty and staff recruitment, supervision, evaluation, and professional development to promote collaboration, retention, and ongoing learning.
- Organize individualized academic and social-emotional improvement plans, establish clear behavior expectations, and create student leadership opportunities.
- Manage finances through careful budgeting, fiscal reporting, and fundraising initiatives to support academic programs and financial aid.
- Build strong parent and community partnerships, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and maintain high levels of parent satisfaction.
- Implement technology to streamline operations and enhance instruction.
- Effectively manage crisis situations while maintaining transparency and trust.
Regional Program Manager
ISRAELI AMERICAN COUNCIL
07.2019 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: IAC is a national non-profit organization building a coast to coast community with Israel in its heart and Israeli culture in its spirit.
- Head of “Eitanim” program for Boston area—the program’s aim is to bring teens together in an atmosphere of innovation as they learn, collaborate, and produce under the guidance of expert mentors using the Israeli Startup model.
- Worked as part of the Boston IAC team to bring meaningful, engaging programming for all ages in the community.
Principal
NEW ENGLAND HEBREW ACADEMY
07.2017 - 07.2019
- Company Overview: NEHA is an Orthodox Jewish Day School with 150 children in grades PK- 8.
- Restructured curriculum and established common standards to ensure vertical articulation, consistency, and improved educational achievement. Introduced an empathy training program leading to improved school culture over multiple years.
- Supervised and evaluated all faculty, including regular processes to assess and track program implementation progress.
- Collaborated with fellow administrators to set the school’s vision and cultivate a culture that strengthened partnerships with parents and community organizations.
- Held regular informal meetings to actively listen to students, teachers, and parents, empowering them to work together for effective solutions.
Associate Principal – Acting Head of Middle School
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL
07.2011 - 07.2017
- Company Overview: Maimonides School is an independent PK-12 Jewish day school, with 150 students in Middle School, 550 students total.
- Served as Acting Head of Middle School, overseeing all aspects of student life, curriculum, instruction, and special programming.
- Partnered with principals of upper (9-12) and lower (K-5) schools for the hiring and supervision of faculty, the department chairs for curriculum and instruction, and the social worker and grade deans on student culture and family collaborations.
- Worked closely with Office of Admissions to recruit and retain students, and the Office of Development to fundraise to help offset the costs of financial aid, special programs, and capital improvements.
Assistant Headmaster, Grades 9-12
TECHBOSTON ACADEMY
07.2009 - 07.2011
- Company Overview: TechBoston Academy is a pilot school that offers a college preparatory curriculum to students in grades 6–12. The school immerses its nearly 1000 students in technology and focuses on mastery.
- Supervised all teaching and non-teaching staff, collaborating with district leadership, the Dean of Students, student support teams, school police, custodial, and cafeteria departments to maintain a safe and conducive learning environment.
- Cultivated and managed partnerships with external organizations to enhance student opportunities, including internships, job placements, external coursework, grant proposals, and additional resources.
- Led efforts in preparing for President Obama's visit to the school, coordinating with the United States Secret Service for event security and logistics.
- Successfully raised funds to support a student trip to Europe as part of the Holocaust Studies program, securing thousands of dollars for the initiative.
- Position was eliminated when the 6-8 and 9-12 divisions merged
Instructional Reform Facilitator
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ACADEMY
07.2006 - 07.2008
- Company Overview: ISA (P.S. 624) was a Public Charter School serving 250 students in grades 9–12.
- Nominated by district leadership for this position and placed at ISA, a low-performing public high school, to increase instructional effectiveness, graduation rates, and school performance on summative assessments.
- Coached teachers for improved instruction, facilitated professional developments for staff, led school-wide reform initiatives using data aimed at increasing student achievement, and was an active member on the team of school administrators and leaders.
- Fund raised to purchase (and have donated) music equipment, leading to a student “jam space” that changed the school.
Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher, Grades 6 - 7
JAMES LICK MIDDLE SCHOOL
07.2000 - 07.2006
- Company Overview: a grades 6-8 public middle school in San Francisco Unified School District.
- Grades 6 and 7 classroom teacher.
- Elected and served as Teacher Leader as part of the SFUSD Middle School Teacher Leader Initiative.
- Elected member of the School Site Council, (2004-2006).
- Basketball Coach (2001-2006, including 2004 champions).
- Facilitated donation of nearly $8000 of high-quality office furniture and equipment for the school classrooms and common spaces.
Kindergarten Teacher
DOLORES HUERTA LEARNING ACADEMY
07.1999 - 07.2000
- Company Overview: a K-6 charter school in its inaugural year.
- Taught a full-day class of 22 students, mostly from recently immigrated, predominantly native Spanish-speaking families.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons, and evaluated student progress regularly through formative assessments to inform instructional decisions.
- Worked closely with families, caregivers, and community organizations to serve students effectively in their academic growth and wellbeing.
- Took part in community events at local restaurants, houses of worship, and community centers.
Education
M.Ed - School Leadership
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Cambridge, MA2009
B.A. - Sociology
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
Bloomington, Indiana1999
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Conflict Resolution
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Active listening
- Diversity and inclusion
- Community Engagement
- Program Management
- Staff development
- Legal compliance
- Consensus & Relationship Building
Websites
Certification
- Principal/Assistant Principal, 5-8 and 9-12, MA
- Political Science, Political Philosophy, 5-8 and 9-12, MA
Timeline
Head of School
METROWEST JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
06.2020 - Current
Regional Program Manager
ISRAELI AMERICAN COUNCIL
07.2019 - 01.2020
Principal
NEW ENGLAND HEBREW ACADEMY
07.2017 - 07.2019
Associate Principal – Acting Head of Middle School
MAIMONIDES SCHOOL
07.2011 - 07.2017
Assistant Headmaster, Grades 9-12
TECHBOSTON ACADEMY
07.2009 - 07.2011
Instructional Reform Facilitator
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES ACADEMY
07.2006 - 07.2008
Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher, Grades 6 - 7
JAMES LICK MIDDLE SCHOOL
07.2000 - 07.2006
Kindergarten Teacher
DOLORES HUERTA LEARNING ACADEMY
07.1999 - 07.2000
M.Ed - School Leadership
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
B.A. - Sociology
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
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