Nadav Zeimer earned his B.A. in physics at Brandeis University, studied secondary science education at The City College of NY, and public affairs at Baruch College. Nadav worked as a software engineer and automation specialist in Silicon Valley prior to becoming an award-winning physics and robotics teacher and turnaround high school principal.
Nadav’s transition from software to education started when he launched his first nonprofit corporation in 2000, focused on hyper-local digital radio production. Audio editing proved to be a powerful metacognitive tool that consolidate student learning. Mr. Zeimer brought podcasting into his science classroom and by 2009 was selected to lead a new school design team in NYC.
This digital-media-focused approach turned a failing school on the verge of shutdown into a top-performing institution for formerly disengaged students. Nadav’s passion project is to eliminate standardized testing and replace it with performance-based assessment.
Principal Zeimer’s work has been featured in a a full-length documentary, Popular Mechanics Magazine, The New York Times, Chalkbeat, WNYC / SchoolBook, and DNAinfo, and numerous podcast and conference appearances. With the help of his wife, friends, and community-based partners, principal Zeimer secured millions of dollars to support hands-on STEAM and social justice programming, with a special focus on addressing the mindset of students involved in the foster care system.
The Zeimers adopted their first child from Japan and currently serve as foster parents to a child cancer survivor.
