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Since joining the Briarcliff team in 2004, McDermott served in three administrative roles: middle school assistant principal, district director of performing arts and the principal of Todd Elementary School.
During her tenure, as District Director of Performing Arts from 2006-2008, she made significant improvements within the department that included staffing, curriculum, and facilities.
While at the middle school her work with "Habits of Mind" resulted in her and two colleagues being selected by the authors to present with them at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) International Conference in 2009.
At Todd, McDermott enabled the school to achieve International Habits of Mind School of Excellence Certification, New York State Department of Education Rewards School for highest achievement in the State every year from 2012 through 2018.
And last but not least, she was instrumental in both BMS (2016) and Todd (2005) receiving the National Blue Ribbon Award for Exemplary Performance in 2005 and 2016.
In announcing her retirement, McDermott said: “My time in Briarcliff for the last 14 years has been a blessing, leaving me with fond memories to cherish. At this moment, I have had the privilege of influencing the lives of every Briarcliff student currently enrolled in the district. As my career in public school administration comes to a close, I am confident that my legacy at Todd School and the district will continue to serve as a model for the Briarcliff community for many years to come.”
The School District and Board of Education have begun a search for McDermott’s successor and will engage the community as well as faculty and staff in the process.
It is anticipated that her successor will be announced this spring.
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