Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced today the appointment of Mr. Philip Hammack as principal of the International School at Dundee. Mr. Hammack replaces Ms. Dana Firmender, who departed GPS for a school district closer to home.
“Mr. Philip Hammack comes to the International School at Dundee with all the essential characteristics the school community shared that they were looking for in their next principal,” Dr. Jones said. “The interview committee, consisting of GPS senior administrators, teachers, and parents recognized him as a great fit for ISD from an impressive and diverse pool of high-quality candidates across the region. At the heart of ISD lies the International Baccalaureate programs that are celebrated throughout the community. Mr. Hammack brings that experience and deep appreciation of high standards, along with positive energy, high visibility, and a hands-on approach for ISD to remain a premier elementary school in the state of Connecticut.”
Mr. Hammack spent 11 years at Bronx Park Middle School in New York City as a social studies teacher, dean, assistant principal, and finally as a beloved interim principal. At Bronx Park Middle School, he led the IB accreditation process through a multi-year improvement process that helped to increase proficiency rates over multiple years. Most recently, Mr. Hammack was the assistant principal at the high performing Briarcliff Manor Middle School in New York where he led school-wide initiatives through a systems-thinking approach, revising approaches to student support, instructional feedback and professional learning. Mr. Hammack began his career as an educator as a special education teacher in Brooklyn, NY.
“Given my previous experience leading an International Baccalaureate school, I am joining the International School at Dundee with a deep appreciation for the complexity of the Primary Years Programme and its power to unlock a child’s natural curiosity and creativity,” Mr. Hammack said. “Throughout the interview process, I was struck by the deep commitment of school faculty and the shared partnership with families to ISD’s unique approach to teaching and learning. ISD’s exceptional reputation for developing students that are reflective and open-minded is unparalleled, and I cannot wait to get started with our students, staff, and families to continue to build upon the tremendous foundation already in place.”
Mr. Hammack earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from New York University, a master’s in Students with Disabilities from Long Island University and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. He also holds certifications in School District Leadership from Lehman College and School Building Leadership from Teachers College.
