Meet Our Staff
Below you will find a gallery of our dedicated staff.
Ms. Jackie Cooper
Ms. Sonia Rondon
Ms. Ashley Gonzalez
Ms. Jackie has twelve years of teaching experience under her belt as well as having a CDA. She attended Touro College. Ms. Jackie is a lover of music, specifically jazz. She plays the piano and sang in city choirs as a child. She has a daughter in her twenties whom she is very proud of. Ms. Jackie is a self proclaimed Southern Girl and loves vegetables, especially Broccoli Rabe. When asked what inspired her to become a teacher Ms. Jackie said "My first grade Teacher Ms. Wilson inspired me."
Ms. Sonia, originally from Mount Vernon, has been teaching at Belmont for 10 years and has a CDA. Before Belmont she spent two years volunteering at an Early Childhood Site. Ms. Sonia is a mother of three, one of whom has ADHD, and she has one three year old grandchild. Ms. Sonia loves to cook and travel, especially to Disney World and enjoys listening to country music. When asked about her inspiration she said "My mom, she was a home care provider."
Ms. Ashley has been teaching at Belmont for the last five years. Before Belmont she had volunteered at several different organizations working with a wide array of age groups. Ms. Ashley is currently attending Lehman College's Early Childhood Education Program. Ms. Ashley is the middle child in her family. She spends her time volunteering at hospitals and she loves to paint. When asked why she loves teaching she stated that she enjoys seeing the children progress throughout the year. She also says that "My first grade teacher, Ms. Olsen, inspired me."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Crisol Tlatelpa
This is Ms. Crisol's first year working at Belmont Community Day Care Center. Before working at Belmont Ms. Crisol worked for two years at the New York Center for Infants and Toddlers. She is currently attending the Minor to Masters Program at Lehman College. When not at Belmont Ms. Crisol enjoys spending time with her cat Minina and drawing. When asked why she loves to teach Ms. Crisol says "I love working with Younger Children and interacting with them."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Elizabeth DiCarlo
Ms. Liz has been working at Belmont for 2 years. She graduated with a CDA from the School of Professional Studies. Spanish is Ms. Liz's first language, she learned how to speak English while in school. She is a loving mother of three. In her spare time Ms. Liz loves to take pictures and to read, especially mysteries and early childhood books. When asked what inspired her to be a teacher Ms. Liz said, "I wanted to be a teacher since I was five years old and have always had a great relationship with children. Early childhood is important to build the foundation of a child."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Jennifer Ventura
Ms. Jennifer Ventura has been working at Belmont for four years. Before coming to Belmont she worked as an Assistant teacher at a daycare in the Bronx and worked for one year as an assistant at a daycare in Florida. Ms. Jennifer graduated in 2015 with a BA in Psychology from Lehman. She is currently getting her Masters sin Early Childhood Education from Lehman College. Ms. Jennifer loves to play and watch sports, especially cheering on New York Teams. Her favorite color is purple and she has two dogs named Leila and Loki. She loves to read Mysteries and Thrillers. She has one older sister and two younger brothers as well as a niece and a nephew. When asked what inspired her to be a teacher she said "I have always been around childcare so I always wanted to be an early childhood teacher."
Ms. Eunise Adams
Ms. Eunise has been working at Belmont for four years. Before coming to Belmont she worked for five years as a science teacher at the Bronx Botanical Gardens as well as a Pre-K Teacher at Maple Street in Brooklyn and D75 in Manhattan with kids K-1st Grade and 14 and 15 year olds. She graduated from Mercy with a BSW in Social Work and Psychology. She also had a Masters degree in Special Education and General Education in Early Childhood from Concordia University. Ms. Eunise is the youngest of 6 and has a wonderful niece. She enjoys traveling around the world with her family. Ms. Eunise also enjoys to knit and create things that sparkle. Ms. Eunise has lived in Puerto Rico, Italy, Hawaii, California and New York. She also has a pet Beta Fish named Thunder. When asked why she became a teacher she said, "I went into Early Childhood to build the foundation for the future of our children. I also enjoy being taught new skills."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Jenny Carino
Ms. Jenny Carino has been working at Belmont for the last eight years. She got her Associates degree in Liberal Arts from Hostos, Her BA Sociality and Early Childhood Education from Lehman College and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercy. Ms. Jenny has one son. In her spare time she loves to read, especially true crime/criminal justice books. She enjoys arts and crafts as well as getting lost in the city and visiting the zoo, botanical gardens, and Central Park. When asked what inspired her to become a teacher she stated, "I always wanted to work in my community, ever since I was a child. I became a teacher because while taking a social work class I observed a classroom and decided to switch my major."
Picture Coming Soon
Mr. Nicholas DOran
Mr. Nicholas has been working at Belmont for a number of years. He originally went to Hunter College to study Psychology but then decided to change his career path to study the Culinary Arts, for which he graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2011. Before coming to Belmont all of his experience was in the restaurant setting. When asked why he likes working in the childcare setting he said, "Working in the Childcare setting makes it more appreciated and important. Knowing that many of the meals I am making are providing a meal to each child every day."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Noelia Benabe
Ms. Noelia has been working at Belmont for the last four years. She studied in Puerto Rico. Ms. Noelia enjoys working with and preparing for kids. For eight years she working with older cliental but has enjoyed working at Belmont Community Day Care Center. She is grateful to Ms. Danielle and Ms. Johannah for the opportunity of working here.
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Luz De La Cruz
Ms. Luz has worked at Belmont since 2013. She studied at La Milagrasa in Santo Domingo. Luz discovered Belmont when her son first attended here. When asked why she loves working at Belmont she said, "I've always been surrounded by kids and I enjoy their curiosity and I love helping them because kids need love and comprehension. At Belmont, I found a family and we are always helping each other. There is nothing better than working at a job where everybody loves and truly supports each other."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Jaileen Ostrova
Ms. Jaileen has been at Belmont for two years. She attened Herbert H. Lehman High School and the school of Cooperative Technical Education. Ms. Jaileen enjoys participating in and watching sports as well as spending time with kids and family. When asked what she likes about working at Belmont she said, "I always loved kids and I've taken care of my cousins, so after getting experience at other jobs, I got the opportunity to work here, and fell in love with it. Everyday is an opportunity to learn something new about the kids. They always make my day, it doesn't feel like a job."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Marcela Bravo
Ms. Marcela has been been working at Belmont for the past 11 years. She studied in Mexico. Ms. Marcela is a mother and enjoys cooking when she is not working. When asked about how she likes working here she stated, "My job is probably not working with kids directly but I enjoy seeing that everything is in order for the convenience. This goes for the animals that we have at the daycare as well."
Mr. John Cruz
Mr. John has been working at Belmont for over four years. He graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Youngstown State University. Before working at Belmont John worked as a counselor then In-Post Director at Camp Asbury from 2009-2016. Working with kids ages five to eighteen and supervising a staff of over 30 employees, as well as specializing in work with kids with behavioral issues. He also was a nanny for two children for two years before coming to Belmont. Mr. John got a job at Belmont the week after he moved to NYC in hopes of pursuing an acting career. When John isn't at Belmont he is often working on side projects or shows as an actor or creator. He also enjoys singing, writing short stories and plays, building puzzles as well as other creative ventures. "When I first moved to New York City I spent my first week going from job interview to job interview. I ended up interviewing for four different daycares, and was offered a job at all of them. I chose Belmont because it was the only one where I really felt invited and welcomed right away. And I'm still here now, and that's partially because I still feel that way when I come to work everyday and see the kids."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Marlen Lara
Ms. Marlen is in the midst of her first year working at Belmont. She graduated from High School in 2011 and began tutoring children of various ages, always favoring Pre-K kids and the Kindergarteners. After getting married in 2018 she moved to the Bronx and got a job at a center as an aide helping children with autism. Ms. Marlen is always looking for creative projects to do, favoring drawing and painting. When asked about working at Belmont she said, "I had the opportunity to work at Belmont Community Day Care Center where each day is filled with an opportunity for growth and learning new things. I enjoy what I do and always look forward to work and seeing such beautiful smiles. The children always make my day."
Picture Coming Soon
Ms. Tiana Salvatto
Ms. Tiana has been working at Belmont for just over a year now. She recently graduated from college with a BA, and is currently working to pursue her Master's Degree. Ms. Tiana was first introduced to Belmont when interning here to finish her degree, and it was then discovered her love of working with children. "They are so curious and inquisitive and full of unique personalities and energy". When not working her hobbies include dancing and anything artistic. When asked about working at Belmont Ms. Tiana says, "I am blessed to work in such a diverse environment, with employees and children of all races and cultures, and we are constantly learning, teaching and growing together."