Myra A. Cocolicchio-Diaz

With almost twenty years of teaching, leadership, and coaching experience in education within Education, I have developed a deep understanding of the needs of today's learners and educators. I have become skilled in creating engaging curriculums that help students (adult and youth) develop and implement practical skills. This skill set allows me to develop a culture of respect and build on partnerships that encourage and maintain the climate to support a growth mindset. Working as a NYCDOE Central employee with my school building and district leadership license and Master’s degree, I currently lead, and coach K-12 district level and school-based teams to achieve progress toward their New York State mandated support plans. As an Adjunct Professor, Peer Collaborative Teacher Leader, and Behavior Systems Change Specialist within in the NYC Dept. of Ed. I have expertise in teaching courses related to Curriculum Planning and Instruction (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Social Emotional content), the Development and Understanding of Culture in Educational Organizations, Cultural Responsiveness, Pedagogical Practices for Student Teacher Practicum/Seminar, The Language of Classroom Management, Trauma Informed Practices, FBA/BIP development, Understanding the Behavior Pathway, Function Based Behavior, Implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and RTI implementation. I also have extensive experience within General & Special education, in terms of the identification and implementation of strategies for differentiation, modification, and accommodation of different learning styles with a focus on research and data-based interventions and supports. In my current role as a Behavior Systems Change Specialist within the NYCDOE, I have demonstrated my ability to create and facilitate engaging professional learning opportunities for adults that stimulate participant involvement and enable learning. With an administrator’s lens and background, I coach, mentor, train and provide varied levels of embedded support to District level teams, school leaders and staff to enhance organizational leadership of curriculum development through concentrating on implementation and behavioral sciences. As a Behavior Specialist much of my work encompasses developing and executing plans for systems change to create a dynamic that is both efficient and effective at developing and enhancing pedagogical practices to support student learning. Creating effective systems allows our teams of educators to employ practices that cultivate a growth mindset which is paramount to student and organizational success. My experience in teaching graduate level education courses and supervising student teachers within their internships has allowed me to develop the soft skills of effective and compassionate communication through collaborative feedback cycles. I can draw from my experiences as a special educator, SETSS/Resource provider, Model Teacher Leader, Professional Learning facilitator and developer, Dean of Students and Behavior Specialist to engage students and educators in active reflection and learning of effective pedagogical practices to support positive student outcomes.

• NYS School District Leader Certificate
• NYS School Building Leader Initial Certificate
• NYS Professional Public School Teacher Certificate – Childhood Education Grades 1-6
• NYS Professional Public School Teacher Certificate – Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6
• NYS Professional Public School Teacher Certificate – Early Childhood Education Grades Birth-2
• NYS Professional Public School Teacher Certificate – Students with Disabilities Grades Birth-2

• Elected Prep for Prep Alumni Council Member (consult for Prep for Prep Board of Trustees)

• Eric Osorio, Eric.Osorio1@gmail.com, Head of Upper School, Friends Seminary, 781-223-0761
• Dr. Melitina Hernandez, Mhernan5@schools.nyc.gov, Principal, NYCDOE PS/MS 123, New York, NY, 917-567-8618
• W. Mac Furey, Wfurey01@manhattan.edu, Department Chairperson of Dept. of Education/Associate Professor, Manhattan University, 401-440-5251
• Arthur Tobia, atobia@albany.edu, New York State Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) for Behavior, 914-263-8136