Welcome to our part two wrap-up of our new faculty spotlights. Each week we’ve featured our new teachers on Poly’s social feeds. Each one infuses our school with new perspectives, a diverse range of expertise and experience, as well as passion for bringing out the best in students. In case you missed “New Faculty Fridays” on Facebook and Instagram, welcome to the Poly teaching family, Danielle Cochran P’26, ’29, ’34, Colby Myers, Andre Batista!

Danielle Cochran P’26, ’29, ’34 (Lower School) 

From a successful career in fashion to shaping young minds in the classroom, Associate Teacher Danielle Cochran brings creativity and passion to Poly’s Lower School every day. After working for brands like Ann Taylor, Danielle made the life-changing decision to step away from the fashion industry to raise her kids—a choice that ultimately led her to discover her true calling: teaching.

Danielle began her journey at Poly Prep in 2020 as a substitute teacher, working in every grade at the Lower School. This experience solidified her love for early childhood education, and in 2024, she officially joined the faculty as an associate teacher. Her creative background and hands-on approach help her students engage with their learning in unique and meaningful ways.“ I love the small moments in teaching at Poly that are different every day and with every child. They add up to produce confident, intelligent, proud, and caring individuals,” Danielle says. She also values the importance of guiding her students in their social-emotional growth, adding, “It’s important for a teacher to know when to ‘step in’ and when to ‘step back’ in order to let the child find their own voice.”

Colby Myers (Lower School)

Colby Myers joined the Poly Prep Lower School community in 2022 as a classroom assistant and became an associate teacher this year. “I’ve had the pleasure of teaching in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and now Grade 3,” she shares. “Since working with Grade 3, I’ve loved being on the receiving end of their intelligent minds that keep me on my toes every day. They are so creative, innovative, and thoughtful in their learning, and it’s been a pleasure playing a part in their growth as students here at Poly.”

A performer from a young age, Colby’s background includes acting in Broadway, Off-Broadway, and TV/film productions. “I’ve always kept a special bond with my performing arts teachers,” she says. “It felt like my time to take an official step into education, and being a teacher has brought me joy in fulfilling part of my purpose—driving students to think big and letting them know I’m here to support their aspirations.”

Looking ahead, Colby is most excited to see students’ growth in literacy, writing, and social studies, especially as they explore Native American cultures. “With my background in arts and culture, I was especially excited to apply my skills to the social studies curriculum,” she adds. “And I love bringing out the theatrical elements within students’ work, especially through writing.”

Poly Prep has provided Colby with numerous opportunities to share her talents. In addition to teaching, Colby serves as the Dance and Drama Director for Poly’s Performing Arts Camp, teaches enrichment courses like African, tap, and hip-hop dance, and conducts PolyCultura workshops. “Connecting with the Poly community in so many ways fills me with gratitude,” she says. Colby is also deeply appreciative of her mentor, Olugbala Williams, the Pre-K Head Teacher: “From my first day, he welcomed me, recognized my talents, and continues to encourage me to put my best foot forward.”

Andre Batista (Middle School)

Our new Middle School Visual Arts faculty member, Andre Batista, joins Poly with a rich background in teaching, art-making, and educational leadership. Formerly at Inwood Academy for Leadership, where he taught for seven years, Andre is also completing his MA in Visual Art Education at City College. He teaches Grades 5-8, immersing students in creative projects like flower prints and subtractive drawing.

It’s hard not to stop and take in the artwork that adorns the walls in the hallway outside the Joseph Dana Allen Library. In the hallway gallery are recent works by Batista’s Grade 5 class from a project called “Creative Explorations: Art Beyond the Ordinary.” Students created an abstract work inspired by a song that was listened to in class. Artists were encourage to translate the instruments and rhythms they experienced into textures, colors, shapes, and lines.

In his Grade 6 course, “Artful Journeys: Exploring Identity Through Creativity,” students created “Head Space” projects—miniature rooms that reflect their personal identities. Together, these rooms form a collaborative “apartment building,” symbolizing the diverse perspectives within our Poly community.