Rachel McCaulsky

About Rachel McCaulsky

As the Director of Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, Dr. Rachel McCaulsky is at the forefront of expanding and enhancing AILEY’s educational initiatives across New York City’s schools and nationwide. Before returning home to AILEY, Dr. McCaulsky served for eleven years in New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) in various roles, including the Brooklyn South Borough Arts Director, supporting arts programming and professional learning opportunities for districts 17, 18, and 22. Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal at P4Q, a District 75 school serving children diagnosed with severe to profound disabilities. In that role, Dr. McCaulsky revamped the curriculum, instituting a curriculum team that adapted the material for diverse learners and infused art connections into each content area through center-based learning. She also supported arts programming, grant initiatives, and language acquisition programming for Multilingual Language Learners. Additionally, Dr. McCaulsky is a published author for the NYC Department of Education Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Dance, where her units of study fusing dance with social studies, science, and literacy have been featured. She serves as a member of the Arts for All Abilities Consortium Steering Committee, where she provides professional learning opportunities in the arts. Alongside her educational assets, she has an extensive background in dance. She has led a dance career, performing with notable companies such as Alvin Ailey II, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Dallas Theater Center’s The Wiz. She has had the honor of dancing at the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany. Additionally, she was the featured ballet dancer for Grammy Award winner Chrisette Michele in her music video \"Super Chris\". Dr. McCaulsky was also featured in the movie Hal King, directed by Myron Davis, and was a principal dancer with Thomas/Ortiz Dance.

Experience

1. Director of Arts in Education & Community Programs

   Ailey

   Sep 2024 — Present · NY, US

   As the Director of Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, Dr. McCaulsky is at the forefront of expanding and enhancing AILEY’s educational initiatives across New York City’s schools and nationwide. Dr. McCaulsky is responsible for the growth, management, and development of AileyDance Kids(Pre-K-12th grade school programs), AileyCamp for ages 11-14, AileyDance for Active Aging for adults 50+, and community programs.

Education

• Fordham University

  Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA, Dance

  2003 — 2007

• The College of Saint Rose

  Master's degree, Educational Leadership and Administration, General

  2018 — 2019

• Pace University

  Master's degree, Special Education and Teaching

  2013 — 2015

• Russell Sage College

  Doctor of Education - EdD, Educational Leadership

  2022