Meet Our Brooklyn Heights Team
Our passionate educators create a nurturing environment where every child is valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Leadership
Melissa Nascimento
Director (Brooklyn Heights I) and Head of Montessori Curriculum
With 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Melissa brings deep expertise and genuine warmth to her role. She believes the relationships children build in their earliest years shape everything that follows and shows up every day with that conviction.
Toni Timmerman
Director — Brooklyn Heights I
With 10 years of experience in education, Toni brings a rare combination of creativity and specialized expertise to early childhood education. Her background in Theatre Studies/Speech informs the way she thinks about language, expression, and how young children learn to communicate and connect.
Mayiya Ponce
Assistant Director — Brooklyn Heights I
Mayiya supports the Brooklyn Heights team with dedication and care, ensuring the highest standards of education and wellbeing are maintained for every child, every day.
Sylvia Lorgen
Director — Brooklyn Heights I
With over 20 years in early childhood education, Sylvia brings a depth of experience that is rare in any field. Her focus has always been the same: creating warm, engaging environments where children feel safe enough to take risks, ask questions, and fall in love with learning.
Our Educators
Anna Fratsiian
Teacher - Preschool
Hello, my name is Anna, and I have the pleasure of teaching an amazing class: "The Hummingbirds", here at KinderPrep. I bring a wealth of experience and a strong educational foundation, holding a master's degree in Education and three years of hands-on experience, working with children in both Ukraine and the USA. My journey in education began as a teacher's assistant, where I developed a passion for supporting children's growth and learning. Joining the esteemed team at Kinder Prep feels like a dream come true. Every day, I am inspired by the laughter, achievements, and unique personalities of the children. They bring me so much joy, and I am thrilled to return that joy through our daily activities and discoveries. Let's work together to create an incredible, nurturing space where our children can thrive, explore, and grow.
Yuliia Rybalkina
Teacher - Toddler
Hello everyone! My name is Yuliia, and I'm originally from Ukraine. I'm thrilled to be part of this wonderful community and have the opportunity to work with children. I have a background in early childhood education, specifically with toddlers and preschoolers. I am passionate about guiding young children in their journey to grow into kind, creative, and generous individuals who are well-prepared for success. It brings me so much joy to witness their development, knowing that I play a meaningful role in their day-to-day learning. My teaching approach emphasizes learning through play, problem-solving, and open communication, creating a supportive environment where children can explore and grow. I look forward to building positive relationships with each child and nurturing their curiosity and love for learning.
Nataliia Kondriuk
Teacher - Toddler
Hello! My name is Nataliia, and I am originally from Ukraine. I have been working with children as an educator since 2012. From the very beginning, I discovered a true passion for helping young minds grow, learn, and explore the world around them. It brings me great joy to support children on their educational journey, to guide them with care, and to celebrate each step they take toward gaining knowledge and independence. I am honored to be a part of a profession that allows me to make a meaningful difference in children's lives. I believe in creating a nurturing, respectful, and joyful environment where every child feels valued and inspired to learn. Watching them grow is the greatest reward.
Dasha Zhezhu
Teacher - Preschool
My name is Daria Zhezhu, and it is with immense enthusiasm that I introduce myself as the lead teacher of the "Cardinals class" at Kinder Prep Montessori. Hailing from the picturesque country of Ukraine, I bring a diverse range of experiences and a passion for nurturing young minds. With a strong foundation in political science, I embarked on a journey into the world of education, and I've been privileged to be a part of the Kinder Prep Montessori team since February 2022. Before joining this wonderful community, I spent five enriching years working in daycare, honing my skills in creating nurturing and inspiring learning environments for children. As a devoted Montessori teacher, I am deeply committed to fostering child-centered learning that empowers and respects each individual. I believe in the transformative power of the Montessori approach, and it's my goal to create an environment where curiosity is nurtured, creativity is celebrated, and each child's unique potential is recognized and cultivated. It's a privilege for me to be a part of your child's educational journey, and I'm excited to create meaningful connections with both you and your young learners. Together, we'll embark on a year of growth, exploration, and discovery, where every child's progress is celebrated and cherished. I look forward to an exciting and transformative year ahead!
Nicole Ponce
Teacher - Infant
My name is Nicole and I'm so excited to be part of the infant team here at Kinder Prep! I have over seven years of experience working with infants in different daycare centers, and my journey in early childhood education first began in Ecuador, where I discovered my love for nurturing and guiding young children. As both a teacher and a mom to a sweet boy, I understand how important it is for little ones to have a safe, loving, and engaging environment. I have had the joy of working hands-on with infants as young as three months, supporting their growth through activities like reading, singing, and play that encourage their development. Seeing babies learn and thrive brings me so much happiness and fulfillment. Joining Kinder Prep is truly an honor for me. My goal is to make every baby feel safe, cared for, and celebrated each day.
Claudia Amador
Teacher - Toddler
My name is Claudia Amador and I am from the country of Venezuela. Working with babies and children brings me lots of joy, as I get to creatively express myself with our little learners. Being trustworthy, reliable, and responsible are amongst my top pillars of this incredible field. Next being creative and passionately seeking the creative arts in my free time to paint and dance are also important to me. In addition to working in early childhood, I also work with teen-aged young adults in my church and I also had the experience of being a camp guide. My studies have been focused on Speech Therapy, so I like teaching and working with children on how to develop their language skills. In addition to the fun day ahead, children also learn Spanish with me!
Rahman Ross
Teacher - Infant
Hello everyone my name is Rahman! I'm a certified Teacher Assistant and a professional Child Care Provider for the last ten years. This fall I'll be continuing my education in Early Childhood Education at Brooklyn College. I have three amazing daughters, eighteen outstanding nieces and nephews. I enjoy spending time with my Family & friends. I love to read, dance, watch tennis and travel. Being around kids has taught me patience and at times you have to put yourself in their little shoes. One of the things that makes me smile with kids is that you know they may not be paying attention but they're definitely listening. That lets me know I'm doing something right. I plan on continuing to share my unique experiences with Kinder Prep Brooklyn Heights. What I hope for all the kids is, when they transition into chapters of their life's that it's ok to fly a kite, jump in puddles, pretend, build a fort, play in the rain, pick your nose, run around barefoot & imagine. Dream big & whatever they decide to be in life make sure it makes them happy.
Mira Gonzalez
Teacher - 3-K
Hello everyone! My name is Mira and I really love and enjoy teaching 3K! I was born and raised in New York and I would not have it any other way. During my free time, I enjoy relaxing with a book, watching movies, and enjoying the fresh air. I have years of experience working with children from birth to 3 years old, and it has been an amazing journey. Working with children is a very rewarding and fulfilling experience! It is amazing to see children grow every single day, watch them learn something new and have a fun time doing it. I cannot wait to see my students thrive and accomplish new and exciting things and for me to be able to help them along the way.
Lourdes Juarez
Teacher - 3-K
My name is Lourdes Juarez and I am from the country of Argentina. I am a passionate individual who believes in supporting development and achievement through love, attention, and understanding. Since I was young, I have been drawn towards Early Childhood Education, having developed a genuine passion for working with young learners and witnessing their growth. I find joy in helping them develop their language, academic, creative art, social and motor skills on a daily basis. I also enjoy the privilege of challenging them to be curious and inquisitive. When I am not thinking about my kiddos, I love to dance, listen to music, cooking Argentian food, reading, and sharing quality time with my family and friends. I am grateful to team up with you in this journey during your child's growth and development.
Crystal Martinez
Teacher - Toddler
Hello Parents! My name is Crystal Martinez, I am Mexican American, born and raised in Brooklyn NY. I have a degree in Criminal Justice, and I am currently working on getting a bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration. Before going to education settings, I was working in a precinct assisting in events like street fairs, NYC Marathons, patrolling during nights, and much more. After that, I was part of the DOE for two years where I worked as a substitute teacher where i assisted in guiding students between classes and aiding in lesson planning, to leading after-school programs focused on tennis for 8-10 years old and engaging art activities for kindergarteners, my journey has been filled with enriching experiences. Now, as a lead teacher at Kinder Prep Montessori, I cherish the opportunity to nurture young minds and foster their growth and development. Being part of this dedicated team brings me immense joy, as I witness the magic of learning unfold each day. My passion lies in cultivating independence in my students from an early age, i love building and showing love to my little Ducklings as they learn to navigate the world around them. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to care for and teach your little ones. It brings me so much joy to build meaningful relationships with each child and to be a positive, consistent presence in their daily lives. I truly enjoy supporting children's social, emotional, and cognitive development through engaging, age appropriate activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning. It is incredibly rewarding to guide children as they grow in independence, confidence, and problem-solving skills. I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and structured environment where every child feels valued, supported, and loved. I cherish the opportunity to observe each child's unique personality and to thoughtfully adapt my teaching to meet their individual needs. Thank you for trusting me with your children, it is a privilege I hold close to my heart.
Salome Barrera
Teacher - Toddler
I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to care for and teach your little ones. It brings me so much joy to build meaningful relationships with each child and to be a positive, consistent presence in their daily lives. I truly enjoy supporting children's social, emotional, and cognitive development through engaging, age appropriate activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning. It is incredibly rewarding to guide children as they grow in independence, confidence, and problem-solving skills. I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and structured environment where every child feels valued, supported, and loved. I cherish the opportunity to observe each child's unique personality and to thoughtfully adapt my teaching to meet their individual needs. Thank you for trusting me with your children, it is a privilege I hold close to my heart.
Join Our Team
Are you passionate about early childhood education? We're always looking for dedicated educators who share our commitment to nurturing young minds.