Leadership

Dr. Michele Darby, President and CEO of Excellency Coaching and Consulting Services, LLC (ECC), serves students, schools, not-for-profits, and organizations in educating and advocating for students, parents, and educators. ECC works to improves academic and social-emotional outcomes for all students, with a focus on high-needs areas, at-risk youth, and formerly and currently incarcerated youth. In addition to her current role as CEO, Dr. Darby is also a certified life coach, a certified yoga instructor, and a budding Breathing Coach for stress relief and self-care.

Dr. Darby is a 25-year educator, serving high needs districts in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. Her most recent tenure was as Principal of a “traditional school housed in a nontraditional environment”, a high school located in a county jail. Her students were incarcerated youth, ages 18-21, who were seeking either their high school diploma or High School Equivalency diploma (HSE, formerly GED – General Education Diploma). Dr. Darby’s personal and professional motto is “For these are all our children, we will all profit by or pay for what they become.” (James Baldwin), which guides her work as a lifelong educator.  An accomplished, proactive leader with over 24 years of teaching, administrative, and professional development success in leading faculty and students within culturally diverse school communities, Dr.Darby has formed a lifetime commitment to improving the lives of students through education, advocacy, and social justice.