Teaching Institute at Spence

Danielle Passno is a math teacher and the Head of Middle School at The Browning School, a K-12 boys school in New York City. Prior to working at Browning, she was the Director of Outreach and Public Purpose at The Spence School. Many years ago, she taught at Boston University Academy and at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN. As an educator, Danielle is interested in teaching students to embrace mathematical habits of mind, working with teachers to improve their teaching and cause lasting learning in their students and using the resources of independent schools to create equitable education models. Danielle has a master’s degree from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, and she graduated from Dartmouth College in 2002. She loves being with her family, eating, practicing guitar, playing most sports, reading and writing.

Eric Zahler is the Director of Teaching and Learning and a math teacher at The Spence School, a K-12 girls’ school in New York City. He was previously at The Ellis School in Pittsburgh and The Crefeld School, an alternative school in Philadelphia where he taught math, science, philosophy, French and dance. Eric is interested in the craft, science and art of teaching, the ways teachers learn from one another and in how tiny incremental improvements can lead to revolutionary change. He can’t believe how much he is still learning after 26 years in the profession. Eric graduated from Swarthmore College in 1991. He loves cooking meals for family and friends, reading and asking good questions.