Our Team

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.

Operations Manager

My name is Nahelis Polanco. I was born in the Dominican Republic and Migrated to The Bronx, NY when I was 10. I have a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and communities. My journey has led me to work with children of all ages and backgrounds, where I’m driven by a passion for empowering families to create brighter futures. I believe in the power of laughter and connection, and I thrive on helping others find joy and support. I’m excited to be part of the ECB team, where I can continue to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families.

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.

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.

Lead Teacher

Hi, my name is Kathy! I have worked with children practically my whole life, from being a babysitter to taking on every classroom position. I absolutely love working with children! One of my favorite things is watching the many ways they learn through play and curiosity. I have an Undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and recently gained my MSed at Bank Street for Infant/Family Development and Early Intervention. I was born and raised in the Bronx, and I am so excited to give back to my Bronx community by joining ECB!

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.

Associate Teacher

I was born in the Bronx and currently live in Harlem. I have been teaching for several years in early childhood classroom settings throughout New York City. As an educator, one of my greatest joys is seeing my students' growth and positive development. Within the classroom, I strive for community, culture, and a positive sense of identity to be a part of nurturing young minds. I am thrilled to be a part of the La Escuela Comunitaria del Bronx team and believe that the school's mission and values are to build community through education. I expect to cultivate an environment where each child feels accepted, safe, curious, and free to learn through exploration.

Associate 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!

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!

Associate Teacher

I am an Associate Teacher with an Associates degree in Children and Youth Studies; pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology mainly focusing on children. 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.

Associate Teacher

My name is Imalay Rodriguez. I am proud to be part of La Escuela Comunitaria del Bronx! I was born in the Dominican Republic and Spanish is my first language. Living in a mainstream society sometimes we can see our children adopting the language and norms of the more “dominant culture” and deviate from their roots, I firmly believe that all cultures are equally important for our children to assert their identity and benefit from the wonders of both cultures. I am passionate about working with children and treating them as unique and bright individuals. I have a B.A. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Lehman College.

Associate Teacher

Hi, my name is Dalia. I was born in Puerto Rico and at the age of four, my parents decided to move to New York. I have worked as an Early Childhood Educator for 25 years. I love working with young children, watching their growth and development throughout the school year. I am beyond excited for this upcoming school year! I am looking forward to a fun year full of laughter, learning, adventures and growth.