Michelle Augustine

Michelle Augustine is a dedicated professional educator and instructional leader based in Valley Stream, New York, with more than two decades of experience in education. After migrating from Trinidad to New York in 1988, she was accepted into Brooklyn Technical High School, where she developed an early interest in technology and liberal arts. She went on to study psychology at LIU Post and pursue advanced studies in education and school psychology at CUNY Brooklyn College. Augustine has built her career around supporting the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional development of students, with particular expertise in special education, early childhood education, and elementary education.

From 2000 to 2016, Augustine served as a teacher with the New York City public school system, developing and coordinating special education curricula, providing differentiated instruction, creating individualized education programs, leading IEP meetings, and implementing functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans. In 2016, she established MAC-Preparatory Care Inc., an educational program she continues to direct, providing preschool, after-school programming, summer enrichment, academic tutoring, test preparation, and STEAM and music enrichment for children ages 3 to 12. Through her program, she has focused on addressing educational gaps and creating opportunities for students to strengthen their academic skills while developing socially and emotionally. Her experience also includes serving as an Assistant Director in early childhood education and completing a school psychology internship supporting student assessments, counseling, social-skills programming, and collaboration with families and educators.

Augustine has continued to expand her leadership expertise through graduate and professional education. She earned an M.S. in Education and an Advanced Certificate in School Psychology from CUNY Brooklyn College, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Concordia Portland, and an Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. She also holds an SBL Initial Certification through New York State. Her commitment to family and community engagement has been recognized through two citations, while her professional and community involvement includes the Long Island Leadership Initiative, New York State Association for the Education of Young Children, United Federation of Teachers, and other education and family-service organizations. Guided by her philosophy of “Educating the WHOLE Child,” Augustine is currently pursuing leadership opportunities as an assistant principal, principal, special education coordinator, administrative leader, or director of special education.