Staff
Preschool and Daycare Staff in Astoria. New York
Teaching is our joy – this is why we became educators. Watching your children grow is such an honor.
For us at The Day School of Astoria, nothing is more important than hiring qualified teachers and teacher’s assistants. They will be interacting with your child every day at school and they have a major impact in your child’s learning experience.
We invite you to visit us at the school for a consultation or to meet our faculty personally.
Afida HussainSchool Director
Hi, I am Ms. Afida, the school director here at The Day School of Astoria. I have a degree in early childhood education and 8+ years of experience working with children. I was also a preschool teacher at The Riverdale Montessori School for 2 years. After that, I also worked at The Lower East Side Montessori School as an Assistant Director and a preschool teacher. I enjoy working with kids and look forward to watching them develop and grow with us.
Ms. NicoleEducational Director
Hello! My name is Ms. Nicole, and I am originally from NH. I came to NYC for college and studied at St. John’s University, where I graduated with my B.S. in Childhood Education. After graduation, I taught for two years in both first and second grade, in both charter and private schools. This is my first year with The Day School of Astoria, and I look forward to helping the parents, children, and teachers in any way that I can! A fun fact about me is that I lived in Italy for a semester, and I taught English during my time there!
Felisha A. SorgeHead Teacher (2’s Bumblebee Classroom )
Hello All!
My name is Ms. Felisha, and I am the lead teacher of the 2’s program at the Day School of Astoria. I have been teaching for a little over three years, and I am furthering my education at SUNY Empire State College as I pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. My goal is not only to shape the minds of those around me but also to inspire every child that joins the DSOA family.
Fun Facts About Me:
- My favorite color is yellow!
- I am Puerto Rican and Italian
- I love poetry books
Ms. TereenaAssistant Teacher (2’s Bumblebee Room)
Hello Everyone!
My Name is Ms. Tereena. I work as the assistant teacher of the 2’s Bumblebee room. My goal for the year is to celebrate student growth and empower students as leaders and young decision makers.
Ms. Samantha3k Head Teacher (Caterpillars Room)
My name is Ms. Samantha, and I have been working in childcare for over 10 years. I began my journey to teaching when I worked at a home daycare and as a nanny. I soon discovered my love and, more importantly, my passion for early childhood education. What motivates me to be the best educator I can be are the personal and academic achievements made by the children I have taught. I believe in a well-rounded education that includes all developmental milestones, academic and social-emotional wise. My personal pedagogy is shaped by many early childhood education theorists, as well as current research. I hold a BA in Sociology and Early Childhood Education, and I hold a NYS Initial Teaching Certification (Birth-2nd grade). Currently, I am pursuing an MA degree in Literacy Education (Birth-6th grade) at Hunter College School of Education, and I joined The Day School of Astoria staff in 2021.
Here are some fun facts about me!
- Pronouns: she/her
- Ethnicity: Chinese & Greek
- Color: green
- Food: tacos
- Book: Where the Wild Things Are
- TV Show: Friends
- Hobby: Reading
Ms. Melissa3k Assistant Teacher (Caterpillars)
My name is Ms. Melissa! I hold a BA in Sociology which I received from SUNY New Paltz. It was during this time that my love for teaching transpired. I decided to study abroad and continue enriching my sociology major by volunteering to provide education and care for students in an economically disadvantaged area in Guayaquil, Ecuador. To say the least, this social cause changed my life and, 10 years later, paved the wonderful path that has been childcare and teaching. I believe school is a nurturing place of inclusivity, support, and development!
Here are some fun facts about me!
- Pronouns: she/her
- Ethnicity: Ecuadorian & Puerto Rican
- Food: Pasta
- Drink: Water
- Movie: E.T.
- Book: Kite Runner
- TV show: The Office
- Hobby: Cooking
Ms. SofiaHead 3K Teacher (Ladybugs)
My name is Ms. Sofia and I am one of the 3-K teachers at The Day School of Astoria! I was born and raised in Astoria, Queens, and I am currently pursuing a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education at Hunter College. In 2019, I began my career as an educator in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood, and I joined The Day School of Astoria staff in September of 2022. My passion and drive for teaching come from the high value I place on education. As an educator, it is my goal to enrich and empower young minds, and to develop and nurture children’s interest in education. I strive to encourage my students to reach their full potential with positive reinforcement and enthusiasm. In my classroom, I aim for my students to develop and maintain an “I can” and “I will try” attitude. This positive attitude promotes success and happiness in the classroom and in our students’ everyday lives. It is of utmost importance to me that my students know that their classroom is a place where they are welcome, accepted, and heard. My education and experiences, both in life and in the classroom, have helped me build a foundation to be the best teacher I can be for my students.
Ms. AmandaAssistant 3k Teacher (Ladybugs)
Hello! My name is Amanda, and I will be your child’s Teacher Assistant this school year. I grew up in Queens, but I also lived in Texas for a couple of months in 2020. I am Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian, and I am so proud of my culture! This is my first year at The Day School of Astoria, and I am so excited about this school year!.
These are a few of my favorite things:
- Colors: Yellow
- Foods: Chicken nuggets and pizza!
- Drinks: Matcha latte, Orange Fanta
- Favorite children’s book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
- Hobbies: Reading, watching TV
- Stores: Target, H&M
- Favorite TV Show: Friends
Ms. DonnaHead Pre-K Teacher (Butterflies Classroom)
My name is Ms. Donna, and I am currently a pre-K teacher at The Day School of Astoria. I was awarded a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University; completed a master’s degree in childhood education from Queens College, City University of New York; and will be completing a post-master’s certificate in early childhood education from Hunter College this spring. I am NYS Certified in childhood education N-6, and have over 20 years of experience teaching at the early childhood level, including preschool and kindergarten in the public school system, as well as in private school settings. I cherish my role as a teacher, as I always strive to provide a nurturing environment rich in academic and social experiences for all my students.
Ms. SylviaAssistant Teacher (Butterflies Classroom)
My name is Ms. Silvia and I am the PK teacher assistant. I started working with children back in 2002 and have enjoyed my job all these years! I am a Level 3 certified Teacher’s Assistant and hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. I took Early Childhood Education classes at Touro College. In my opinion, the first five years of life are critical in the development of how children process, store, and use information. As an early educator, it is one of my goals to foster their learning by creating a positive environment and effectively supporting their physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. Some fun facts about me are that I am from Argentina, my favorite book is “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, and my favorite color is red.
