Rebecca Giaccio
Rebecca Giaccio has been principal of Notre Dame Academy Elementary School since 2012.
As the first lay principal and a former graduate, Rebecca strives to continue the wonderful traditions of NDA and the pursuit of academic excellence within a rich cultural environment as set forth in the NDA mission statement.
Rebecca possesses a diverse educational background which includes science, technology, and mathematics (STEM) with additional concentrations in engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology and an associate degree in Architecture from the College of Staten Island.
She is licensed in elementary and early childhood education with the Department of Education and taught middle school.
Rebecca continued her studies and earned a master’s degree in School Leadership from Villanova University while teaching in the Lower Merion School District of Philadelphia. She received permanent certification and a certificate of exceptional performance. Continuous professional development and focus on utilizing differentiated instruction techniques, Rebecca was rated ‘a highly qualified teacher.’
She returned to teach at NDA and at the Summer Institute of the Gifted, presenting unique learning experiences for talented young students.
As principal of NDA, Rebecca created a Toddling Two Program and a full day Pre-Kindergarten Three Program. She implemented STEM programs across the grade levels including a 1:1 Chromebook Program and a K-12 Coding curriculum. She introduced Google Classroom and other Google applications to collaborate, integrate and extend learning and to empower students to develop self-awareness and self-management tools. The Electives Program in the upper grades was expanded to include robotics, engineering, chorus, and the arts.
Rebecca has collaborated with the students and staff of St. John’s University and was honored with their University Partnership Award for Excellence in Education by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She is also the recipient of the Patrick F. Daly Memorial Award for outstanding dedication and service as principal and was commended for creating a positive school culture and environment.
