From the Principal

Derrick Dunlap

Derrick Dunlap is a dedicated and transformative educational leader with 20 years of experience in various school districts. Mr. Dunlap believes that every child is unique and capable of thriving in a supportive, empathetic, and engaging environment. Throughout his career, he has maintained that “social-emotional development alongside academic growth, helping students build resilience, self-confidence, and a love for lifelong learning” has been a recipe for success.

Mr. Dunlap began his teaching career in the District of Columbia in 1999 as a fourth-grade teacher at Birney Elementary School. During his time in the classroom, he provided instruction, managed scholars, and maintained high academic rigor. After more than eight years in the classroom, Mr. Dunlap transitioned to assistant principal for six years at the high school level. He was appointed to Severna Park High School and Annapolis High School, where he provided instructional leadership and supervision for the Science, Social Studies, and Math Departments.

After moving to New York, he then became principal at Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School. After three years of leadership, the school became a Reward School in 2017 for its rapid academic turnaround. Mr. Dunlap became principal at Community Partnership Charter School for six years, also achieving high academic excellence. During his years as principal, the school maintained high academic excellence. Mr. Dunlap credits this with continued collaboration with teachers, families, students, and community partners to ensure students received a rigorous, engaging, and quality education designed to expand opportunities and transform lives.

In addition to academic turnaround at both schools, he led efforts focused on school culture and climate, student social-emotional awareness, instructional leadership, and continued academic development, especially for SPED and ENL students.  Mr. Dunlap has worked closely with staff, students, and families to strengthen culturally responsive instruction, enhance family and community engagement, establish systems of academic and behavioral support, and build the capacity of educators to prepare students for 21st-century opportunities.

He was also head boys’ basketball coach at the high school level at Howard High School and later at Crossland High School in Maryland. He later coached college basketball at LIU Post University on Long Island from 2014-2018. His experience as a coach led him to start his own basketball teams and camps for kids from 6 to 17. Dunlap has created sports programs and leagues for various public and charter schools specifically for the elementary population. Mr. Dunlap maintains that lessons in sports have helped him navigate life and successfully overcome obstacles.

As Principal of Traphagen Elementary School, Mr. Dunlap is committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and student-centered environment where creativity, excellence, and opportunity thrive.

Mr. Dunlap earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Fairfield University, where he played basketball; a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport; and a master’s degree in educational administration from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.