Madelaine Hackett is a proven educational leader and a champion of career and technical education. She brings her expansive teaching and administrative experience to the leadership team at Nassau BOCES GC Tech, where she has taken the helm as principal. She is already enthusiastically applying her vast knowledge to improve the curriculum at GC Tech and to strengthen the school’s programs.

“We’re working to make the educational experience as rewarding as possible for everyone involved,” Ms. Hackett said. “All schools set out to educate students, but only the best schools seek to improve the learning of all stakeholders. That includes not only the students, but teachers, administrators and the larger community.” 

Ms. Hackett began her career working with a clinical psychologist to teach students with ADHD to use art to help focus themselves. She then spent three years as lead instructor at an art school, before being appointed as an English as a Second Language teacher in the New York City school system.  

Ms. Hackett left New York to pursue a position as school development coach for New Tech Network, where she led professional development and curriculum development for teachers and school leaders at locations throughout the United States. From there, she became a founding member of the Urban Assembly Maker Academy in Manhattan. 

UA Maker is an innovative public high school that empowers students not only to be successful, but to create a brighter future through design, thinking and innovation. Ms. Hackett oversaw the administration of the school as assistant principal, until she joined Nassau BOCES as Assistant Principal of In-District Programs at Barry Tech. After serving three years in this capacity, she was recruited to take over as Principal of GC Tech. 

“I want to be working somewhere that I can make a difference,” Ms. Hackett said of what inspires her. “I’m at my best when I can help others to improve their efforts and meet their goals. GC Tech is committed to giving students the biggest possible advantage. This is definitely the place for me.”

Ms. Hackett is certified as both a district and school building leader, and as a teacher of English to speakers of other languages. She has served toured the country as both a presenter and panelist at numerous educational conferences, on a wide variety of topics, from project-based learning to parental involvement. She holds master’s degrees from both Canisius College and Long Island University, and a bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University, where she graduated cum laude.