Remembering Dr. Melissa Gordon
Studio in a School celebrates the life and mourns the loss of Melissa Gordon, who passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025. For over 40 years, Melissa contributed her authentic love of learning and humorous understanding of children—including their development and creativity—in an annual series of lectures and workshops.
Melissa was a graduate of Hunter College Elementary School, Riverdale Country School and Briarcliff College, and received a Ph.D. in Child Psychology from NYU. After she graduated, she trained and supervised doctoral students for many years and taught as an instructor in the Educational Psychology Department. Before graduate school, Melissa worked as a science teacher at the Brearley School, and, for the past 43 years, as a school psychologist at the Village Community School in the West Village, as well as consulting with several child-art organizations and working privately as a parent consultant.
"Melissa was a dear friend and genuinely loved by so many of the Studio artists and staff," Studio Institute President Tom Cahill said. "She will be greatly missed." Melissa was a wonderful friend and dedicated supporter of Studio in a School, and the enduring impact that she had on the lives of thousands of children is immeasurable.
A memorial service will be held for Melissa in the coming weeks. Memorial contributions can be made to Studio-in-a-School.