About
Employee Directory
Michal Hershkovitz
- Assistant Head of School, Academics
- 718-836-9800 x3530
- Dyker Heights
- Upper School
“Teaching holds a mirror to the soul,” —Parker J. Palmer wrote
Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18 has been Assistant Head of School, Academics since 2019. She joined the Poly community as Chair of the History Department in 2011. She holds a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Michigan, a master’s in international relations from Yale University, and an M.Phil. in political science from Columbia University.
Drawn to Poly by the school’s vibrancy, diversity, and commitment to nurturing the whole child, Michal cherishes her collaboration with faculty to promote progressive curricula and initiatives that foster student engagement and civic responsibility. Michal believes in the power of education to transform students’ lives and the world, and draws inspiration from her own immigrant experience to exhort students to travel as far as possible in their intellectual imaginations and embrace the challenge of discovery wherever it is found. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Michal teaches Grade 11 U.S. history. “I teach to learn—about my students, the world, past and present, myself.” Michal says. “Is there any more precious act?”