LAURIE TORRES: FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Laurie completed her BBA in International Management with a minor in Spanish from Pace University. She completed her Montessori Leadership training from Montessori Teachers College in April 2025. She is presently pursing her M.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education Teacher (Birth - Grade 2) at Brooklyn College.
Laurie was the owner of Baby Be Safe 2005-2023. She has over 25 years of experience as a Director in the health care field working for hospitals, wound care centers, and home care. Laurie was determined to be a stay home mom and nurture her premature twins (who are now young adults) so they could thrive to be healthy children while maintaining a flexible work schedule. Today Laurie and husband Ralph are proud parents of 4 boys.
Laurie was PTA President and chaired the 5th grade committee at PS 230. She was also part of the School Leadership Team (SLT). As a parent, Laurie feels that providing education, support and resources to parents will strengthen the village it takes to raise our children.
RIA RUA: DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Ria joined in June 2025, bringing nearly a decade of experience leading teams, organizing complex systems, and solving tough problems at companies like Meta, Squarespace, and PepsiCo. She moved to the US from Trinidad to attend Yale, where she studied chemical engineering and later earned her MBA. However, her proudest role by far is being Nadia’s mom (and servant).
Over 2024, Ria worked closely with the school through a time of transition, supporting behind the scenes as a committed parent and volunteer. That experience deepened her belief in the community, Elite Minds' mission and the importance of strong, steady operations. She’s excited to bring her logistics brain, calm energy, and love for building trust into this new role—supporting the teachers, helping families feel grounded, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.
MARIAH MAISONET ADORANDO: EDUCATION DIRECTOR, PRESCHOOL GROUP GUIDE (DAFFODILS) & DANCE GUIDE
Mariah received her BA in Childhood Education and MA in Dance Education at CUNY Hunter College. She is a NYS Certified Teacher and for the past 3 years she has been teaching in the Department of Education public schools in Brooklyn and has experience working with children in 3k through 5th grade. Mariah is currently a member of Danza Fiesta: Baile y Teatro Puertorriqueño, a non-profit Puerto Rican folk dance group.
MELISSA NAVA GARCIA: EDUCATION DIRECTOR & INFANT (LILIES) GUIDE
Melissa graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor's degree in Childhood Education 1-6. Melissa was born and raised in Brooklyn. She is the oldest and only daughter. Melissa has two younger siblings whom she helped raise since they were babies. Melissa realized her passion for teaching while she was working at CFL, an after-school program that provides academic support and fun recreational activities. Melissa is always eager to learn and continuously refine her skills. She is planning to continue studying and pursue her Master's in Bilingual Education at Brooklyn College.
HEATHER CLARKSON: MONTESSORI HEAD GUIDE & PRESCHOOL (DAFFODILS) MONTESSORI GUIDE
Heather brings over a decade of Montessori and early childhood experience to the classroom, blending deep educational knowledge with a creative spirit. She earned her AMS Early Childhood Credential from West Side Montessori and holds degrees from The New School (BA) and Columbia College Chicago (MA).
Heather has guided young learners at schools across New York City, including West Side Montessori, Twin Parks Montessori, and Brooklyn Heights Montessori. She is especially skilled at developing rich, hands-on curriculum that balances Montessori principles with her strong background in the visual arts. Her classroom materials are thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, foster independence, and invite exploration. She lives in Brooklyn Heights with her nine-year-old daughter, where their days are often filled with museum visits, paper-making projects, and adventures around the neighborhood.
KATELYN RIVERA: TODDLER (DAISIES) MONTESSORI GUIDE
Katie holds a degree in Sociology/Anthropology with a minor in Spanish from the College of Staten Island and completed her Montessori Teacher Education Program at West Side Montessori. For the past seven years, she’s been a dedicated part of the Elite Minds Montessori family.
A former competitive cheerleader, Ms. Katie brings energy, enthusiasm, and a spark of imagination to everything she does. She’s known for her creative lessons, love of food prep, and the way children naturally gravitate toward her warmth and guidance. Whether she’s leading an activity or dreaming up new ways to inspire her students, Ms. Katie makes learning joyful and memorable.
ARA CASTENADA: INFANT (LILIES) MONTESSORI GUIDE
Ara owns a language school in New York City. There, children learn Spanish, English, and other languages using Montessori pedagogy, play, music, and the arts.
Ara was born in Mexico, where she got her Bachelor's in Business Administration and is currently attending the West Side Montessori Infant/Toddler Teacher Education Program. Before joining our team, Ara worked at Twin Parks Montessori in Manhattan and was a Teaching Volunteer at Angolpalanta Montessori Kindergarten in Fót, Hungary. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys going to museums, attending shows, and spending time with the people she loves.
ARIANA MUNIZ: LEAD TODDLER (DAISIES) GUIDE
Ariana has been part of our school family for four years and is truly the bomb dot com! With a degree in Psychology and Children/Youth Studies from Brooklyn College, she brings both knowledge and heart to her work every day. Before joining us, she worked 1:1 with children on the autism spectrum, supporting them in building fine motor, communication, and social skills while also implementing ABA principles for behavior support.
At school, Ariana was our very first Daisies teacher and just recently completed the Montessori Accelerated Assistant program. Beyond the classroom, she’s known for her quick wit, love of baking, and ability to make both kids and adults smile. We’re lucky to have her leading with laughter, warmth, and dedication.
YALITZA RODRIGUEZ: LEAD INFANT (LILIES) GUIDE & SPANISH YOGA GUIDE
Yalitza has her Bachelor Degree in Arts in Anthropology and Fine Arts from John Jay College. She has worked as an Assistant of the Nursery at Trinity Wall St. Church, and as a Spanish Teacher at a school in Tribeca. Fun Fact: She is also a private Yoga Instructor! Yalitza is working with our Lilies and is currently enrolled in the infant/toddler assistant course at Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She will be leading Spanish Yoga enrichment classes for the 2025-2026 school year.
LUZ VEGA: ASSISTANT INFANT (LILIES) GUIDE
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Luz is a proud mom of three grown children and a lifelong caregiver who speaks fluent Spanish. She’s spent her career working with little ones as a nanny, CPR instructor, and now as our beloved baby teacher. Creative at heart, Ms. Luz brings artistry, joy, and plenty of birthday party magic into the classroom, always making sure every child gets to experience a true, joy-filled childhood. With a background as a home health aide and personal care assistant, she brings a deep sense of care, patience, and safety to everything she does. Simply put: babies are her world, and it shows in every smile, cuddle, and moment she shares with them.
SANDRINE ASMANI-ALLEN: FRENCH & MINDFULNESS GUIDE
Raised in Paris by her German mother and Algerian father, Sandrine grew up immersed in a rich cultural blend. After earning her diploma in painting and photography from Ecole d’art Nationale de Cergy Pontoise, she moved to New York City in 2000, where her artistic skills flourished.
Her passion for creativity deepened as she shared her love of painting with her son, which led to six years assisting art teachers in a French school with Pre-K through first grade. Alongside art, Sandrine explored energy healing, mindfulness, and meditation, eventually introducing yoga and mindfulness into Pre-K classrooms to help children improve focus, reduce stress, and thrive.
She is currently studying Mindfulness and Yoga at Young Yoga Master and teaches French, yoga, and mindfulness at Elite Minds. Sandrine is also a certified Holistic Coach, Quantum-Touch practitioner, Usui Reiki Master, and experienced meditation facilitator for adults.
ALEXA MUNIZ: ASSISTANT INFANT / TODDLER GUIDE
Alexa is a first-generation Mexican, fluent in Spanish, and, fun fact, Ms. Ariana’s younger sister! Before joining Elite Minds in 2025, she built a career as a skilled nail technician after graduating high school (*be sure to check out her nails in the background of our pictures). Deeply family-oriented, Alexa has a natural talent for bringing people together and creating a sense of community. We’re especially excited for her to lead our very first TikTok account, where she’ll capture and share the joy, creativity, and everyday magic happening at Elite Minds.
GIANNA RHODIUS: SUBSTITUTE ASSISTANT GUIDE
Gia started with us as a summer camp substitute in 2025. She is a Brooklynite who is two years into her Psychology degree at Marymount Manhattan College. Her past work experience includes tutoring, dog and cat sitting, babysitting and working YMCA camps.
JOHANNA RODRIGUEZ RAMOS: ASSISTANT GUIDE & PERFORMING ARTS GUIDE
Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jo has spent over 14 years working with children in New York and beyond. Her career began in the arts, performing and puppeteering with Teatro S.E.A. and teaching Spanish through music with Bilingual Birdies, before serving as Lead Spanish Immersion Preschool Teacher at Reade Street Prep for ten years. Introduced to Montessori three years ago, Jo blends its philosophy with her love of music, often incorporating original songs into daily routines. She holds a B.A. in Speech Communications and Linguistics with a minor in Theatre from the University of Puerto Rico and is a proud mom to her son, Céu. Jo is currently a floater across all classrooms, and leads our performing arts curriculum (Music Classes & Puppeteering / Drama classes).