Meet Our Management Team

Meet Michelle Evans-Cornish, CEO & Co-Founder of The Linda School.Com, LLC

Michelle Evans-Cornish has dedicated her career to making learning exciting, engaging, and meaningful for children and families. As the CEO and co-founder of The Linda School.Com, LLC, Michelle leads with the motto: excite, motivate, and engage students to enjoy attending school.

With over 22 years of teaching experience, Michelle has worn many hats—Lead Teacher, School Leadership Team Chairperson, teacher trainer, and curriculum planner. She is passionate about building lessons that spark curiosity and collaboration, always keeping students’ success at the center.

Michelle earned her dual Master’s Degree in General and Special Education from Touro College. With her team, she launched a well-loved preschool program filled with discovery, language learning, and joyful exploration. She also directed The Linda School’s after-school and summer programs, which quickly became family favorites. From cooking and coding to STEM, sports, field trips, and parent engagement workshops, her programs have always combined learning with fun and community. Parents were celebrated too—with events like family barbecues, monthly workshops, and special activities that brought everyone together.

Beyond running programs, Michelle founded The Linda School agency, which partners with the NYC DOE to place highly qualified special education teachers across the five boroughs. As a certified SETSS provider, she and her team ensure schools stay in compliance, train teachers, and use research-based practices to close achievement gaps. Her work is rooted in the belief that every child deserves the right support to thrive.

Michelle also loves creating opportunities for students to connect with the wider world. She has hosted “Meet the Author” events in NYC schools, collaborating with organizations like PETA to bring innovative STEM opportunities—such as Ellie the robotic elephant and the SynFrog dissection alternative—into classrooms. Her leadership has brought hands-on STEM workshops to more than 300 students across three schools, blending creativity, technology, and real-world problem solving.

Above all, Michelle is known for her warmth, vision, and deep commitment to families. Whether it’s developing new programs, bringing exciting opportunities into schools, or celebrating students’ achievements, she continues to inspire a love of learning and a strong sense of community wherever she goes.

Meet Dr. De Forest Cornish, COO & Co-Founder of The Linda School.Com, LLC

Dr. De Forest Cornish serves as COO and co-founder. A lifelong educator, he has worked with students from Pre-K all the way through high school—teaching, mentoring, and inspiring young people to reach their full potential.

Dual certified by the NYC Department of Education in both Special and General Education, Dr. Cornish has a passion for supporting students with diverse learning needs. He is trained in Wilson and REWARDS programs for reading challenges and has taught in classrooms across every grade level. His experience extends beyond teaching—he has served as an evaluator for the Bronx Committee on Special Education and as an Assistant Principal for Student Services, where he supported IESP students and English Language Learners.

Dr. Cornish also brings his expertise to higher education. As an Adjunct Professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, he created the school’s very first Teaching Fellowship and guided graduate students through advanced coursework in Special Education, as well as hands-on teaching in Bronx high schools. His mentorship continues to inspire the next generation of educators.

At The Linda School, Dr. Cornish works with private, charter, and parochial schools as an education consultant, SETSS provider, and staff trainer—always focused on building strong supports for both students and teachers. He has even helped high school students in the Bronx learn coding and played a role in raising graduation rates, showing his belief in the power of opportunity and innovation.

Known for his dedication, warmth, and vision, Dr. Cornish is committed to ensuring that every child, family, and school community he serves has the tools, encouragement, and opportunities to succeed.