Our Team

  • Emily Marmolejos

    Head of School

    My experience working over 25 years in early childhood includes general and inclusive classroom and therapeutic settings, hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters as well as children’s homes. I have always loved working with all infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and am motivated as a witness to all their learning and developmental processes. As an educator, interventionist, and advocate of young children and their families, I am very excited about this opportunity to provide a high-quality, community-based, early childhood education program in the Bronx.

  • Rosmaira Garcia

    Social Worker

    I am Rosmaira, and I was born in the Dominican Republic. I bring over more than six years of experience in the field of social work. My journey has involved providing hands-on support during pregnancy and early childhood from both managerial and community social worker perspectives, across diverse settings such as hospitals, homeless shelters, children’s homes, and therapeutic environments. I obtained my Master's degree in social work from Yeshiva University. My strong belief that social work can make a positive difference is what motivates me to do the work that I do. I am passionate about ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, feels seen, heard, and valued, laying the groundwork for a brighter future. As I step into this new chapter in my career, joining the founding team at ECB, I am excited to channel my passion and expertise towards making a meaningful difference within the Bronx community.

  • Operational Manager

    Operational Manager

  • Family Engagement Coordinator

    Family Engagement Coordinator

  • Dhariana Peralta

    Lead Teacher

    Hi, my name is Dhariana! I am a passionate educator with over 15 years of experience teaching young children at both the preschool and elementary levels. Throughout my career, I have taught in both public and private programs in the Dominican Republic and the United States, which has given me a broad and multicultural perspective on education. Teaching is my true calling. I love watching children learn, grow, and discover the world around them. One of my greatest passions is teaching the Spanish language. Through Spanish, I not only provide my students with the opportunity to become bilingual and access more opportunities in our diverse world, but I also get to share the richness of Hispanic culture with them. I strongly believe in the power of education to transform lives and in the importance of creating a warm, inclusive, and engaging environment for every child. I’m excited to be part of this school community and to accompany the children of the Bronx  through this beautiful stage of their development.

  • Eliseth Castillo

    Lead Teacher

    Hello, my name is Eliseth Castillo. I have more than 11 years of experience working with preschoolers. I have a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College. I love working with children as they demonstrate curiosity and wonder. It is  amazing to see how they grow and develop, and witness what they are capable of when given the right tools and support. I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to this country as a young teenager. I live in the Bronx, and I have learned so much from so many different cultures. I am so excited to be part of the ECB team as it strives to provide children from our community a high quality educational program.

  • Franceli Garcia

    Lead Teacher

    Hi, my name is Franceli! I am an experienced Early Childhood Educator with over a decade of dedication to nurturing and supporting young learners. With 10 years of experience in special education, my background in psychology, paired with my passion for creating inclusive and growth-centered classrooms, it has all guided me in helping children reach their fullest potential academically, socially, and emotionally. Throughout my career, I have been committed to fostering independence, curiosity, and confidence in every student I serve. Today, I feel truly blessed and honored to begin my new journey as a bilingual teacher at La Escuelita Comunitaria del Bronx, where I look forward to continuing this mission of empowering children and supporting families within such a vibrant and caring community.

  • Katherine Rodriguez

    Lead Teacher

    Hi, my name is Kathy! I am a proud Bronx native with a lifelong passion for working with young children. From my early years as a babysitter to holding a variety of classroom roles, I have always found joy in the energy, curiosity, and laughter that come with early childhood education. I hold an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and an MSEd in Infant/Family Development and Early Intervention from Bank Street College. One of my favorite parts of being an educator—besides watching children learn through play, exploration, and those wonderfully unexpected “aha!” moments—is getting to continue learning myself and sharing what I discover. I have also had the privilege of facilitating professional workshops for the Bank Street Infancy Institute. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience to serve my Bronx community and help provide the high-quality education our children and families deserve. I am grateful every day to be part of a field where curiosity is celebrated, the tiniest achievements are cheered on, and no two days are ever the same!

  • Marina Tuchmann

    Lead Teacher

    Missing

  • Naomi Stuart Figueroa

    Lead Teacher

    Greetings! My name is Naomi. I have several years experience as an early childhood educator, I  recently completed my MSed at Bank Street for Infant/Family Development and Early Intervention. One of my greatest joys is seeing my students' growth and development throughout the year. As a lead teacher in the classroom, I strive for a sense of community and a positive sense of identity for all students. As someone who was born in the Bronx, I am thrilled to be a part of the team at ECB and firmly believe in our mission and values.

  • Adrian Saari

    Associate Teacher

    Hello my name is Adrian! I was born in Brooklyn, with family ties to the Bronx and have worked with children throughout my various professions. I received my Undergraduate Degree in music from the New School and my Masters in Architecture from Iowa State. Growing up I loved visiting the Bronx and realized over the course of my studies that my purpose was to give back to a community that was a huge part of my upbringing. I believe in allowing children to self discover things in their own way and promote curiosity while offering guidance. Also showing that there is more than one way that something can be done while encouraging them to not be afraid to make mistakes.

  • Alisha Rodríguez

    Associate Teacher

    I am a bilingual associate teacher with a passion for working with children and helping them reach their full potential. I recently graduated from Lehman College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology. I am committed to helping create a nurturing learning environment where every child feels valued and supported. I am very excited to start my journey at ECB!

  • Altinay Holguin Hernandez

    Associate Teacher

    Hi! I am Altinay Holguin, an Associate Teacher in early childhood education working with children ages 3 and 4 in a bilingual environment. I graduated in Medical Imaging and after immigrating discovered a vocation in early childhood education that I now practice with love, patience, and dedication. I am passionate about supporting children during their early years of learning, fostering their emotional, social, and language development in both Spanish and English. I strongly believe in the importance of kindness, friendship, respect, and values that I promote daily in the classroom. I enjoy helping children express themselves, share with others, and feel safe and confident as they learn through play and meaningful experiences. I feel very happy and grateful to be part of the ECB community.

  • Ashley Rodriguez

    Associate Teacher

    I am an Associate Teacher with an Associates degree in Children and Youth Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood-Childhood Education. I am passionate about children and believe in nurturing their self-confidence, creativity, and multicultural perspectives. I encourage their freedom and independence during activities in which they explore and discover using all their senses. As a multilingual person, I believe it is important to implement cultural exercises that promote children’s self-confidence, ability to make independent choices and promote their critical thinking skills. Although, most important to me, is the build-up of connections and trust that will ultimately allow the child to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to approach the world successfully.

  • Francis Garcia

    Associate Teacher

    Hello, my name is Francis. I am a bilingual associate teacher who is passionate about creating a nurturing, supportive learning environment for young children. Born in the Dominican Republic I hold an Associate Degree from Hostos College. I've had the rewarding experience of working with children of all ages including preschoolers, elementary and middle school students.I’m deeply committed to helping each child grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. I’m so excited to begin this new journey with the ECB community!

  • Jazmin Castillo

    Associate Teacher

    My name is Jazmin Castillo. I’m a bilingual Associate Teacher currently studying at Lehman College. I am passionate about children. I believe in appreciating and nurturing their talents, interests, skills, abilities, and knowledge to extend their learning journey. I am committed to creating an environment that fosters their personal growth and development. I'm excited to bring my enthusiasm and dedication to ECB. I'm eager to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and contribute to their growth and development.

  • Marcos de Jesus

    CUNY Apprentice

    My name is Marcos. I am honored to partner with families and teachers in the child-centering, nurturing, emergent learning community of practice at ECB. I am interested in children as unique people and learners. I first worked with kids as a day camp counselor in High School. Since then, I’ve worked with children as a teacher of movement and rhythm workshops, and a performer of child and family focused dance, music and drama. I celebrate bi-lingual education as a right for families of multi-lingual heritage, and a resource for families who want their children to experience the benefits and opportunities of multi-lingual thinking. I come from a tradition of activism including my padre y abuela’s work with Padres Unidos del Bronx in the 60’s and 70’s. I have a BA in Dance in Community from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, including fieldwork in Puerto Rico with Modesto Cepeda et al. In NYC, I studied at the Graham and Ailey Schools. As Marcos de Jesús “de la Guagua”, I won a BRIO in Performance art from Bronx Council on the Arts in 2024. I’m currently a CUNY Early Childhood Apprentice, working toward CDA certification. I am bursting with pride for the students and teachers I am privileged to work with every school day at ECB. ,mnknj,

  • Sandra Martinez Alvarez

    Associate Teacher

    Hello! I am Sandra, from the shores of La Ceiba, Honduras, to the heart of the Bronx, I have built a life defined by resilience and purpose. After nearly two decades of dedicated service at an Air Force Base, I began anew in New York City, pursuing education as a means of both healing and transformation. I earned my Associate and Bachelor’s degrees from Boricua College and became a Certified Teacher Level 1. Today, as an Associate Teacher at La Escuela Comunitaria del Bronx, I bring compassion, strength, and a deep commitment to helping the community grow.

  • Soleidy Correa de Medina

    Associate Teacher

    Hello, my name is Soleidy Correa. I am a Dominican educator, born and raised in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. From a very young age, I developed a passion for teaching, which led me to acquire a solid education as a teacher with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and over 10 years of experience in elementary education working with children of various ages. I recently moved to the United States with the dream of continuing to teach and provide love, inspiration, and support to new generations in this country that has welcomed me, specifically the Bronx community. I integrate resources such as interactive stories, group activities, and inclusive approaches that celebrate diversity to create a motivating learning environment. My goal is to continue making a positive impact, promoting the holistic development of each child through an educational environment that combines empathy, creativity, and commitment.

  • Veronica Jimenez Vega (Vero)

    Associate Teacher / Art Teacher

    My name is Vero, and I love to bring out the creative potential in each and every child. Originally from Tepotzotlán, a small town outside of Mexico City, I have a bachelor's degree in Design and Visual Communication and a diploma in Children's Art Education from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. I have over a decade of experience in preschool progressive education in Austin, Texas, and NYC, and I deeply enjoy designing projects that cater to students' diverse interests and learning styles. I love to use art to integrate cultural elements into childhood education and reinforce children's intellectual, emotional, and social development. I am thrilled to join la Escuela Comunitaria del Bronx!

  • Yadira Gonzalez (Yadi)

    Associate Teacher

    Hi, I’m Yadi! I’m a bilingual associate teacher, and I am delighted to be part of La Escuela Comunitaria del Bronx. I graduated from Monroe College with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. I have always loved working with children. I enjoy supporting children as they explore the world around them while building confidence, independence, and friendships. I’m passionate about creating a welcoming environment where every child feels safe, supported, and encouraged to be themselves! 

  • Yuliana Blanco

    Associate Teacher

    Hello, my name is Yuliana Blanco, a preschool teacher from Venezuela. I live in the Bronx, where I moved five years ago. I have over two decades of experience working with preschool children. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to supporting the human and academic growth of my students. My main focus is providing a loving and respectful learning environment, fundamental values ​​that form the foundation of a well-rounded education. I am very happy to be able to share and be part of this community where each child's learning involves being an active and creative participant and engaging in collaborative work. I am fully committed to making a positive and lasting impact on every child I guide in their education.