Meet Our Teachers

All of our teachers are licensed, trained and experienced in early childhood education. All staff members are fingerprinted and screened following a thorough background check. Each staff member is also CPR/First-Aid Certified.

Classroom ratios are as follows:

Infant (4 months-1 year olds)

• 3:1 ratio with 8 infants maximum and 2 teachers and a floater assistant
  

Toddler (1-2 year olds)

• 5:1 ratio with 10 toddlers maximum and 2 teachers (however, often there is a 3:1 ratio with a floater assistant)

Discovery Preschool (2-3 year olds)

• 6:1 ratio with 12 children maximum and 2 teachers (however, often there is a 4:1 ratio with a floater assistant)

Preschool (3-4 year olds)

• 7:1 ratio with 15 children maximum and 2 teachers

Pre-K (4-5 year olds)

• 9:1 ratio with 18 children maximum and 2 teachers

Ms. Nadia
Preschool Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Nadia. I have a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Early Childhood Education from Queens College and also a Master of Arts in Literature (MA) from India. I have 10+ years of experience working as a head teacher for a development network in teaching an international curriculum to primary age children from different walks of life. I am really excited to meet you all!

 

 

Ms. Maryjane
Preschool Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Maryjane. I am a dedicated individual who has a passion for early childhood education. Ever since I was young, I've always loved kids and that soon grew into a desire to be a teacher and become good at it. Working diligently in my school years, I have achieved 20 years of early childhood education experience. In the Philippines, I worked 5 years at Golden Pond with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Tanauan University. Coming to America, I continued and worked 15 years at Little Angels Head Start program as a head teacher with a Master’s degree from City College and Touro. Now I am a preschool teacher at Bright Start and I can’t wait to meet you all!

Ms. Connie
Preschool Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Connie. I am currently a graduate student at the University of Hofstra focusing on Early Childhood Education with a background in Sociology. I have previously worked at a Kiddie Academy preschool and was a UPK co-teacher. I started working with children since 2007 and really enjoyed working with them. Now I am a preschool teacher at Bright Start. I am really excited to meet you all!

 

 

Ms. Katy
Preschool Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Katy. I am excited to be working with your child! I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology, and a Master of Science degree in Education/Special Education in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2). I have worked with the NYC Department of Education as a bilingual paraprofessional for 4 years, and for the past 5 years, I was the special education teacher in kindergarten and 1st grade integrated co-teaching classrooms and a year of general education of 2nd grade. That all sounds complicated, but the most important thing you need to know is that I am passionate about early childhood and play, and consider each child's unique learning needs!

Ms. Migena
Preschool Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Migena. I am a very dedicated person and have a passion for teaching children. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I have worked at Bright Side Academy as a lead teacher in Philadelphia, PA. I have been working with children since 2012. I really enjoy working with children and I am really excited to meet you all!

 

 

Ms. Cherry
Preschool Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Cherry. I graduated with Bachelor of Elementary Education. I have been working with children since 1999. I have previously worked at Precious Spirit Preschool for 5 years as a head teacher for 3-year-olds before joining Bright Start. It is a great joy to be working with your children!

 

 

 

Ms. Martha
Toddler Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Martha. I have 7+ years of teaching experience in New York City. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. Previously, I was the head teacher at Preschool of America’s Park Avenue location for the past 5 years. I am a self-motivated team player who is results-driven. The key to my success in the classroom stems from the interactive approach I use with my students. My "Mini Meteorologist” lesson plan encouraging tactile sensibilities earned 2 teacher-of-the-month accolades at my last position. Now I am the toddler head teacher at Bright Start and I am looking forward to meeting you all!

 

Ms. Kate
Toddler Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Kate. I have achieved two degrees in Acting and Special Education. I started working with children since 2009, and ever since, I have worked with children of different age groups from 5 months to seven years old as a head teacher in preschools and kindergarten. In addition to teaching art and yoga, I also do speech therapy and art therapy. I am really excited to be working as a toddler head teacher at Bright Start and can’t wait to see all of you!

 

 

Ms. Doris
Toddler Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Doris. I have been working in the field of early childhood education for the past 15 plus years. I am very well experienced working with infants and toddlers. I have previously worked at Rainbowland Nursery School for 12 years as a toddler head teacher. Now I am the toddler head teacher at Bright Start and I am looking forward to meeting you all!

 

 

Ms. Rosa
Infant Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Rosa. I am the infant head teacher at Bright Start. I have many years of experience working with children ages 4 months old to 4 1/2 years old. I have my Diploma in Child Care, CDA, and I am certified in Infant CPR, SIDS, and Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention. I love to work with infants and toddlers. Your children will have a lot of fun with me! I can’t wait to meet you all!

 

 

Ms. Afsana
Infant Head Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Afsana. I have been providing early childhood education to infants and toddlers for over 10 years here in New York City. I am very passionate and committed about educating and nurturing children of all ages, especially children between the age of birth and 4 years old. I have graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Bangladesh, and there I have also taught children in kindergarten for many years. I have always continued to seek knowledge in this field, so I have taken numerous courses in Early Childhood Education and Child Psychology from Touro College. Furthermore, I have obtained many certifications which acknowledge my understanding of early childhood health and safety procedures. I hope to provide excellent care and education to all my students.

Ms. Alyssa
Enrichment Class Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Alyssa. I am the Art enrichment class teacher at Bright Start. I have been working with children for over 18 years and working as a head teacher in preschools for 10 years. I have two Bachelor's Degrees in Art Education and Bilingual Education in English/Chinese. Your children will have a lot of fun with me. I am looking forward to meeting you all!

 

 

Ms. Jenna
Enrichment Class Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Jenna. I am the Creative Music Movement and Yoga enrichment class teacher at Bright Start. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. I have been working with children of all ages teaching dance and gymnastics since 2008. I love helping children express themselves creatively through movement. It encourages growth, understanding of their own body and the inspiration of the world around them. I am really excited to meet all of you!

 

Ms. Angelica
Enrichment Class Teacher

Hi, I am Ms. Angelica. I am the Music Movement and Instrument enrichment class teacher at Bright Start. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Theater. I have been working with children for over 6 years teaching dance, music, and theater. I have worked with such notable companies as Hartford Stage and spent the last two years as the Arts and Enrichment Teacher in a daycare center in Hartford, CT. I am really excited to meet you all!