Our Administrative Staff
Ms. Danielle Adornetto, M.S.
Executive Educational Director
Jennifer Colello, M.A.
Assistant Educational Director
In taking a summer position at Belmont Community Day Care Center back in 1998, I never expected the road that was to come. The past years have been an educational journey of highs and lows that has allowed me to align practice with theory. This experience thus far has been beneficial to my development as a lifelong learner.
While attending Iona College my goal was to graduate with a business degree, however, after two summers working as an assistant group leader in Belmont’s Afterschool / Summer program, I changed my major to Elementary Education. I completed my degree and began my student teaching position in P.S. 175 on City Island. I spent half a year in first grade and the second part of the year in fourth grade. There were many aspects I loved, and many new aspects of working in the field of education that made me feel very lost.
Instead of continuing a career with the DOE public School System, I took a position with Belmont’s Pre-school program in a 3-year-old class. This is where I learned that my elementary degree was not going to help me in that environment. This prompted me to return to school for my master’s in early childhood. I joined Lehman as a student in 2005 and have never left.
I found my purpose, something I guess most people cannot say. It all began to click theory, practice, great professors, constant support from a newly developing Universal Pre-K world with the DOE and a new growing program at Belmont Community Day Care Center. I continued as a lead teacher, however, and was instrumental in the development of Universal Pre-Kindergarten in the five boroughs of NYC.
In 2008 Belmont Community Day Care Center was picked to launch one of the first full day Pre-K programs in the five boroughs. I had also graduated from Lehman with my master’s degree in early childhood education from Lehman. Sadly, 2008 was my last year in the classroom, as I was promoted to full-time Educational Director position.
Upon beginning this new journey, I learned how quickly teachers became frustrated by this ever-growing population of children who were different. I had met this child in my classroom and understood his/her needs, but how in the world was I going to train teachers in a field where I had experience to do but little experience to transmit to others. So, I returned to Lehman in search of magical answers regarding Special Education.
I spent the following three years at Lehman learning how to apply special education in early childhood classrooms. During these years I learned to write requests for proposals as our Pre-K program grew and so did Pre-K in the five boroughs. I joined the Early Childhood Consortium where I learned a lot about politics that aligns itself with education. I graduated with my second master’s from Lehman in Special Education Early childhood in 2013.
In 2013 I applied for Lehman’s Education Administration as a School Building Leader. From 2013 through 2015 I worked very closely with my cohort and learned new strategies, methods, and educational realities to incorporate into Belmont. However, the Early Childhood world we had known was still growing and changing with the Mayors new initiative of Pre-K for all. I graduated from Lehman in 2015 with my school building Leadership degree and lots of new practices to implement.
Just before I ended, what I believed at the time would be my last year with Lehman, to my surprise the Special Education Department offered me a part time teaching position as an adjunct professor. To date this has been one of the highlights in my educational career. I have met so many wonderful educators and have learned so much from them. Belmont has allowed me to continue to share practice with theory for these students. Each semester I have learned to cover different content that has allowed my practice to stay current and ever evolving.
Sadly, when we were shut down for covid, life took on new meaning for us all. Educators struggled in all grade levels, however in the early childhood world we continued to search for a way to reach our children, that would be advantageous for their development of the whole child. Here I was again trying to find a new way to think outside the box and still reach our families.
On March 17, 2020, Belmont’s first video launched, with very little guidance, the staff and administration began our newfound acting careers if we wanted one or not. Today Belmont’s YouTube channel has hundreds of Videos in all learning domains. Our families can stay connected with us daily and the videos have provided educational materials, aligned practice with theory, modeled developmentally appropriate teaching strategies, have led to educator’s self-reflection and improved practice.
I look forward to seeing what the future brings as Belmont continues to grow and develop in this ever-evolving world. Looking forward to what is to come !
Ms. Jennifer Colello started her educational career as a student at Belmont Community Daycare in 1987, attending their preschool program until she left to attend Kindergarten at Public School 205. She attended Public Schools throughout her education to obtain specialized services in Speech which later encouraged her to go for a Bachelor Degree of Science in Speech Pathology/Audiology with a minor in Early Childhood Education at Lehman College from September 2002 to May 2006.
Throughout her degree she observed in a variety of settings, such as Burke Rehabilitation in White Plains, New York, The Institute for Special Education in Bronx, New York along with Belmont Community Daycare Center. She started at Belmont as a substitute and then as a part time teaching assistant while obtaining her Bachelor degree from May 2003 to August 2007. Once graduated, she was hired as a Group Teacher, in October 2007. She returned to Lehman in the Spring of 2008, to attend their Dual Certification program in Special Education/General Education in Early Childhood, she graduated with a Master’s of Science in June 2011.
She has also obtained her Administration certification in Early Childhood from CUNY School of Professional Studies from 2015-2017.
She obtained her New York State Professional Certification in Students with Disabilities (Birth to 2nd grade) and her Professional Certification in General Education in September 2012. In September 2018, she was asked to be a full time assistant to the director which is a position she currently holds.
"Watching The tranformation of a child through the year is an amazing experience and I have had the joy for the past 15 years."
Johannah Adornetto
Financial Administrator
"I have been involved with Belmont Community Daycare for most of my lifetime. I worked in 1974/75 at age 17 as a voluntary teacher’s assistant in Playroom 2. In 1987 I was asked to join the Board of Directors as a parent member since my daughter Jennifer was attending Belmont in Playroom 3. From 1988 through 1998 I sat as a regular member on Belmont Board and I was very proud to be part of an organization that cared for so many children and families over the years. However, I have never been prouder of Belmont than I am today. It is a caring nurturing environment for so many children and families but that it has been for 50 years, now greater than that is the fact that Belmont is now an educational institution that has opened its eyes, ears and arms to cultivating our very young.
I have been working as the financial person here at Belmont for the past 20 years. The current Board of Directors has given me the important role of caring for the development, organization, and calculations, of the financial budgets. My job is to optimize the use of our city funding, always enabling our children to obtain the majority of the benefits from what we receive and what we are able to enhance through fund raising on our own and together with our family base. I am honored to be in this position that enables me each and every day to be on the receiving end of all those beautiful smiles. "
Sharon Bernal
Family Coordinator
Ms. Sharon has been the Family Coordinator at Belmont for 2.5 years. She loves watching the children blossom into their own persons and seeing the "wheels turning" in their heads. The movie Stand and Deliver gave Ms. Sharon a clear perspective on how necessary good, dedicated teachers are. Outside of work, she enjoys badminton, puzzles, and reading. Ms. Sharon loves any food that is spicy or has mixed flavors!
TEACHING STAFF
Ms. Tiana Salvatto
Playroom 1
Ms. Tiana has spent her entire 6 year teaching career at Belmont. Following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, Ms. Tiana was inspired by their dedication to shaping young lives. Her mother taught for over 40 years and continues to hear from former students about the lasting impact she made in their lives. This has helped shape the educator Ms. Tiana has become. Ms. Tiana earned her Bachelor's degree in Women & Gender Studies and Dance from Hunter College and is currently pursuing her Master's in Early Childhood & Special Education. For Ms. Tiana, the proudest moments aren't singular events but daily victories such as watching a once hesitant child walk through the door with confidence, ready to learn and explore. Those moments remind her why she teaches. Outside school, she loves dancing, rescuing cats, and traveling. Always fascinated by sharks and the ocean, Ms. Tiana fulfilled a childhood dream by going shark cage diving in Hawaii, an experience she calls "equal parts terrifying and exhilarating" and would definitely like to do it again.
Ms. Melody Velasquez
Playroom 1
Ms. Melody has been an Assistant Teacher at Belmont for 1 year. She brings 4 years of teaching experience and her Teacher's Assistant Certification. Her passion for education began in childhood when she discovered her love for helping and inspiring young minds. One of Ms. Melody's proudest teaching moments came last year when she guided her students as they learned to write their names for the first time. Outside the classroom, she enjoys staying active by playing soccer and swimming. At home, she's kept busy by her three dogs, Coco, Stormy, and Latto. Ms. Melody is inspired by Albert Einstein's quote: "If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not people or things".
Ms. Ashley Tlatelpa
Playroom 2
Ms. Ashley has been a Lead Teacher at Belmont for four years. She brings three additional years of experience from after-school programs. Teaching has been her dream since childhood. "Working with children reminds you of how raw, amazing, and exciting the world can be," she says. "It's an opportunity to help children grow into confident, self-sufficient learners". Ms. Ashley earned her Associate of Arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College and her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing from Hunter College. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Early Childhood Education with a focus on special needs at Lehman College. Her proudest moment was completing her first year as a lead teacher, a year filled with ups and downs that taught her invaluable lessons about early education. "I still continue learning". Outside school, Ms. Ashley loves crocheting, taking walks, and traveling to new places, Costa Rica is her favorite. She's also devoted to her beloved "fur baby". She's inspired by the words of Roald Dahl: "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog".
Ms. Ashley Gonzalez
UPK 130
For nearly ten years, Ms. Ashley has been a teacher at Belmont. She was inspired by her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Olsen, who taught her the value of compassion. Ms. Ashley encourages students to build confidence, overcome challenges, and reach their potential. Ms. Ashley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education. She is currently working toward a Master's degree in Special Education and Early Childhood Dual Certification. For Ms. Ashley, nothing is more rewarding than witnessing her students grow and sharing in their successes along the way. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite quote is "Never say I can't, always say I'll try".
Ms. Crisol Tlatelpa
UPK 131
Ms. Crisol is a Lead Teacher at Belmont, with 9 years of experience, 5 of which have been spent here. For Ms. Crisol, becoming a teacher was a childhood dream. Ever since she started school, she remembers rushing home to play "teacher" with her teddy bears, dolls, and sisters. She has wanted to be an educator since she was five years old. Ms. Crisol earned a Master's in Early Childhood Education with a Bilingual extension from Lehman College. Her proudest professional achievement is developing and leading a bilingual classroom that supports and affirms students' cultural identities. She believes it is vital for children to see their culture accepted in the classroom, their second home. Drawing on her experience as an English language learner, Ms. Crisol understands the challenges of starting school without knowing the language. She strives daily to make all students feel welcome, regardless of the language they speak. When she's not in the classroom, Ms. Crisol enjoys reading books, running, and traveling to discover new places, such as small bookshops and new coffee shops.
Ms. Charlotte Devaney
UPK 132
Ms. Charlotte joined Belmont in October 2021, bringing extensive experience from nearly two decades in education since earning her Master's degree in 2002. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science and Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education. Inspired by her own love of learning, Ms. Charlotte’s favorite teaching moments are "when I see a spark in children's eyes especially when they connect with a story". She's inspired by the words of Rachel Carson: "If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it". Outside of school, Ms. Charlotte loves hiking, reading, cooking, sewing, and spending time with her family. She's a vegetarian who speaks English as her third language and is a big Doctor Who fan.
Ms. Arely Alba
Playroom 2
Ms. Arely has been an Assistant Teacher at Belmont for one year. She holds a high school diploma. Ms. Arely was inspired to become an educator by "the progress children are able to make in a short amount of time, let alone how their persona changes in a span of a couple of months". Her proudest teaching moment was "seeing a group of children all sitting together, while being attentive to another child reading a book". She is inspired by the Bob Ross quote, "We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents." Ms Arely says, "when applied to children, it's the same concept," meaning nothing has to be perfect. In her free time, Ms. Arely likes to draw, get her nails done, and spend time with her pets: a bearded dragon, a bunny, and a guinea pig
Ms. Nicole Nater
UPK 130
Ms. Nicole is an Assistant Teacher who has been with Belmont for almost a year. She has seven years of experience in various roles in education. Her inspiration comes from a lifelong desire to "help mentor and become someone important in children's lives". She has known she wanted to work with kids since she was a child. For Ms. Nicole, the proudest moments in teaching are "personally witnessing a child's personal growth and success and seeing a child persist in problem-solving using strategies they learned from you". She is inspired by her parents and their encouragement. "Ever since I was a kid they always told me 'I don't want you to become just like me, I want you to be better than me,'" she says. "With greater perspective I’ve gained a deeper understanding of their sentiment and recognize the immense value in the path they have cleared for me to succeed." In her free time, Ms. Nicole likes to draw and paint. Her favorite color is purple, her favorite food is tacos, and she loves dogs (she has three). She also enjoys doing fun things with her family, like going out to eat and bowling.
Mr. Michael Adornetto
UPK 131
Mr. Michael has spent his entire 22 years in education teaching at Belmont. His inspiration to become an educator came from his own P.E. teacher at P.S. 205, Mr. Khane, who he describes as "calm, real with the children, and the coolest teacher I ever had." With a background in Health Education and Physical Education, Mr. Michael's proudest moment came at a Moving Up Ceremony when a student told him he "should be cloned." Outside of school, Mr. Michael loves playing and watching sports, traveling, and exploring new restaurants. He's visited Italy, Mexico, South Africa, Ecuador, Peru, Portugal, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and London. His favorite foods are Italian, Mexican, and BBQ, and some of his favorite movies are Coach Carter , Rocky , and The Sandlot.
Ms. Esmeralda Reyes
UPK 132
Ms. Esmeralda is an Assistant Teacher who has been at Belmont for three years. She was inspired to become an educator because she has "always wanted to work in helping others and providing an environment where others are comfortable and safe to be themselves". A graduate of Fordham High School for the Arts, Ms. Esmeralda is currently attending Lehman College and will be graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Early Childhood. Her most memorable moment at Belmont so far was the 2025 Moving Up Ceremony, where "Playroom 132 did an amazing job performing their song". Outside of teaching, she loves drawing, collecting trinkets, and being outdoors, whether hiking, going for nature walks, or going to the beach. She is inspired by the Frida Kahlo quote "At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can". Ms. Esmeralda loves Mexican and Asian foods and desserts. She has a pet cat named Coco and would love to travel to Spain and Portugal.
SUPPORT STAFF
Mr. Nicholas Doran
Kitchen Administration
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."
Ms. Julia Hernandez
Housekeeping
Ms. Julia chose her current role because she genuinely enjoys working with children. She approaches life with a resilient mindset, refusing to stress over what she cannot control and always seeking the positive side. When she isn't at work, Ms. Julia enjoys long walks and volunteering with various organizations.
Mr. Benito Castellano
Maintenance
Mr. Benito came to Belmont in search of a new work environment. He cherishes his interactions with the students; his proudest moment is when the children greet him and affectionately call him "Mr. Benito". He maintains an optimistic outlook, noting that he always finds happiness in all things. Outside of work, Mr. Benito loves driving.
Ms. Marcela Bravo
Housekeeping Administration
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 their convenience. This goes for the animals that we have at the daycare as well."
Ms. Anita Hernandez
Kitchen
Ms. Anita originally started at Belmont to help her sister. She continued because she found she truly enjoyed the work. Her proudest professional moment was earning a promotion from cleaning staff to kitchen work. She lives by a philosophy of creativity, stating that she loves making things more beautiful than they already are. In her free time, Ms. Anita enjoys doing Facebook Live makeup tutorials.
Ms. Kimberly Padilla
Substitute
Ms. Kimberly is inspired by her own experience raising a child with special needs; she dedicated herself to the field to better observe and understand the foundations that mold young minds. Ms. Kimberly holds certifications in CPR, Child Abuse Prevention, and Food Safety. She lives by the words of Maya Angelou: "My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." When she's not in the classroom, Ms. Kimberly loves to read, work on puzzles, and attend Comic Con. She also loves spending time with her dog, Pancakes!