Meet — Dr. Nicole Fabian Engelke Founder of 360 Educational Consulting
Fordham University, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy
Harvard University, Certificate of Advanced Educational Leadership
Hunter College, M.S.Ed. in Special Education & Learning Disabilities
Bucknell University, B.S. in Elementary Education
In addition to her professional experience, on a personal level, Nicole has been through the process of both private secondary school and graduate school admission. And, as a mother of two sons, she has a deep appreciation for the stress that can accompany major life-stage transitions. With a supportive, compassionate, student-centered approach, her aim is to encourage individual school journeys that will lead to a lifetime of success.
A resident of Chatham, N.J., Nicole lives with her husband, sons, and three labradoodles. In her free time, she enjoys traveling (especially to Vermont and the NJ shore), cooking, and ….
Nicole has spent the last 25 years teaching and leading in NJ and NYC independent schools.
Work with Students and Parents-
During the last 11 years I have held a senior leadership role at Far Brook School, a pre-k to grade 8 school in Short Hills, NJ serving as Director of Upper School, Grades 4-8 (2013-2023) and Associate Head of School. In 2022, I successfully completed my dissertation defense in support of my Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Fordham University, where I focused my research on teacher retention specific to the unique challenges of independent schools. This work included new school initiatives such as increased teacher leadership opportunities and teacher collaborations across grade levels and disciplines. I have focused my current role as Associate Head of School on strategic initiatives directed by the Head of School and some of these include being asked to chair the NJAIS and MSA accreditation process for Far Brook. I have chaired over the last 11 years the 10 year Self-Study accreditation (2022-23), the 5 year Self-Study accreditation (2017) and the Action Plan Report (2013 and 2023). Additionally, I served on the Stevens Cooperative School, NJAIS Visiting Accreditation Team (2019) and the Gill St. Bernard’s School, Visiting Team (2017). My classroom teaching experience spans kindergarten through eighth grade and I have worked as a private tutor and learning specialist with students at the high school and college level. I also hold a M.S.Ed. in Special Education and Learning Disabilities and a B.S. in Elementary Education.
A former independent school Administrator and educator, Nicole has unique insights into all aspects of the admissions process. With first-hand experience as a member of selective admission committees, . Having also worked for more than 25 years in marketing and strategic branding, both in education and at major Fortune 500 companies, Dina is uniquely positioned to guide clients in communicating their own personal strengths and authentic stories.
Her approach is simple. Nicole dedicates the time necessary to truly learn about her clients, not simply their academic interests and goals, but what drives them, what excites them, and what keeps them from reaching their potential. Only then can she help determine the school environments that will allow them to thrive.