“…one of the almost inevitable educational visions of our time”
open source framework to replace the SAT/ACT
Nadav Zeimer
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 about which was released at the TriBeCa Film Center, 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.
