The new year marks a fresh start. At Briarcliff Middle School, the new year began with the appointment of Assistant Principal, Phil Hammack. Hammack brings nearly a decade of experience in school administration to Briarcliff. We talked with Hammack about his background, his vision for the school and what he is excited about in his new role.
Hammack began his career as a special education teacher in Brooklyn and then moved to Bronx Park Middle School in District 11 in the Bronx. During his tenure there he worked as a special education teacher, a social studies teacher, and assistant principal, before serving as the acting principal for most of the last year. His work also played a pivotal role in guiding his prior school through its successful accreditation as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.
According to Hammack, Briarcliff Middle School’s approach to teaching and learning attracted him to this position.
“I am coming from an International Baccalaureate school with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary curricula and project-based learning. These kinds of learning experiences allow students to make connections across content areas and to the world outside of their classrooms.”
“Here in Briarcliff, students truly have ownership over what they are learning, and teachers are intentional about building student choice into their lessons. Students are excited to be in class every day and are able to see how the work they are doing is directly connected to the larger world.”
Hammack brings a wealth of experience supporting teachers in creating engaging lessons, and also an understanding that students are more than just their academic performance. In his previous roles, he has introduced mindfulness training and restorative practices which had a lasting impact on students’ social and emotional well-being. Hammack is also a certified therapy dog handler and ran a therapy dog program for 8 years in his previous school with his therapy dog, Mushu.
“Middle school is a time of so much change for students and providing different creative outlets for social and emotional learning is an essential part of fostering the kind of community where every student gets the support they need.”
Hammack is also a fluent Spanish speaker. This knowledge and his experience working with students in special education enhances his ability to connect with and support a diverse range of students and families.
“I am very excited to be here,” he said. “This is an incredible community, with a shared commitment to student success. “I look forward to working with all of the students at Briarcliff Middle School and contributing to the amazing work already happening here.”
An avid basketball player, Hammack lives with his wife, a fellow administrator, and two young children in Pelham.
