Staff

Ciani Espada

I.A. Founding Principal/Project Director

Educational Leader · Advocate for the Arts · Champion for Equity

Ciani Espada is a visionary educator with a deep commitment to equity, creativity, and community-centered learning. Her journey in education began with a passion for the arts and literacy, which she seamlessly integrated into her teaching practice. Over the course of more than a decade in the classroom, she cultivated joyful, rigorous learning environments that honored student identity and voice.

Her leadership trajectory accelerated when she joined a citywide leadership program, leading to her role as a founding Assistant Principal and later Principal of Brooklyn Gardens Elementary School in District 19. Under her leadership, the school experienced a dramatic academic transformation, rising from single-digit proficiency rates to surpassing city and district averages in both English Language Arts and Math.

Now serving in the Office of New Schools within the NYC Department of Education, Ciani is leading the design and development of a new school in Long Island City, Queens (District 30). Her work continues to center on building inclusive, arts-rich, and movement-based learning spaces where every child is empowered to thrive.

A lifelong learner and advocate, Ciani Espada believes that meaningful change in education begins with honoring the brilliance of every child and fostering strong partnerships with families and communities.

Aeris Russi

Founding Special Education Teacher

Hi everyone! My name is Ms. Russi, and I am so excited to be joining the Kindergarten team as a Special Education Teacher! This will be my seventh year in education, and I’m thrilled to begin this new journey with our students and families. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and it is incredibly meaningful to me to work with children from a community that feels so familiar. I was fortunate to have teachers who believed in me and helped me flourish, and I hope to give my students that same encouragement, support, and confidence. A little more about me—I love dancing, superheroes, trying new foods, and ALL things Disney! I will absolutely be the teacher singing every Disney song with my students! I can’t wait to get to know each child, discover what they love, and help them grow into confident, happy learners. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and having an amazing year together!

Jia Chen

Founding Teacher

Hi families! My name is Jia Chen, and I am so excited to be a teacher at Academy of Cultural Excellence! I hold a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, have 4+ years of classroom experience, and have had the joy of working with students in 3K, Kindergarten, and 3rd Grade. I love creating classrooms where children feel safe, supported, curious, and excited to learn! I especially love watching students discover something new and proudly say, “I did it!” I’m a lifelong Queens, New York girl and am so lucky to call Queens home! I love everything about my hometown and all the amazing people, food, and experiences that make it such a special place. Outside of the classroom, you can usually find me rewatching my favorite shows and movies on repeat—I’m definitely a comfort-show kind of person! I also love getting creative and trying new arts and crafts, especially jewelry making and making all kinds of little trinkets. When I’m not teaching or crafting, I’m also a beauty content creator, where I get to combine my love of creativity, beauty, and storytelling to create fun content and connect with others!

Diana Delgado

Founding Teacher

My name is Diana Delgado, and I'm excited to join the Academy of Cultural Excellence as a founding teacher. I have been working in education since 2013 and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I was born and raised in Brooklyn by Ecuadorian parents, and I am proud to be bilingual in English and Spanish. My background and experiences have shaped my love for culture, language, family, and community, and these values are a meaningful part of who I am as an educator. I look forward to bringing those values into our school community and celebrating the diverse cultures and experiences that make each family unique. Outside of school, I love spending time with my family and making special memories together. I am a proud mom to my son, a loving wife, and I’m also a dog mom! My family means so much to me, and spending quality time with them is one of my favorite ways to recharge. I enjoy the simple moments like laughing, exploring, and enjoying time with the people I love most. I am honored to help build the ACE community and look forward to growing, learning, and creating alongside our students and families!

Thomas Hackett

Founding Teacher

I am one of the founding teachers at The Academy of Cultural Excellence. Born and raised in Long Island, I am a dedicated special education teacher with over a decade of experience empowering students in the classroom. Holding a Master’s degree in Elementary STEM Education, I love weaving hands-on, problem-solving experiences into inclusive learning environments. When I am not teaching, you can usually find me lost in a good book or soaking up the sunshine on an outdoor adventure.

Carmen Gonzalez

Founding Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Hello! My name is Ms. Carmen Gonzalez, and I am excited to be the founding pre-kindergarten teacher at the Academy of Cultural Excellence. I hold a master's degree in general and special education from Grand Canyon University and bring over 22 years of experience teaching Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. As a bilingual educator who speaks English and Spanish, I am committed to building strong partnerships with families and supporting diverse learners. I believe that every child can succeed when provided with a nurturing, engaging, and inclusive learning environment. I strive to foster curiosity, creativity, confidence, and a love of learning through meaningful experiences, hands-on exploration, and play. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my son, creating arts and crafts projects, and listening to music. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and discovery with our students and families!

Woodrow Scott

Founding Parent Coordinator

Dear Academy of Cultural Excellence Families, It is with much joy and excitement that I introduce myself as the Founding Parent Coordinator at The Academy of Cultural Excellence. As we welcome our founding families to our new school community, I am honored to be a part of this important journey with you and your children. As your Parent Coordinator, I am here to serve as a bridge between families and our school. I look forward to building meaningful relationships with you, listening to your ideas and concerns, and helping ensure that every family feels welcomed, informed, and connected. I truly believe that when families and schools work together, our students are empowered to thrive academically, socially, and personally. Together, we will build a school community rooted in Agency, Community, and Excellence. An environment where every child feels seen, supported, valued, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. I pledge to be a welcoming, friendly, and supportive resource for you in this process of beginning your child’s educational journey. I am honored to partner with you as we create a school culture that celebrates our families, honors our diverse backgrounds, and gives every child the opportunity to excel. I am of Cuban, Jamaican, and Guyanese descent. I really look forward to building such a diverse space in our community and seeing the different cultures that make up our school body. Your input, assistance, and support will also be valuable in maintaining a strong community. Thank you for welcoming me into your school community. I look forward to meeting you and working alongside you throughout this exciting new chapter!

Susana Morales

Founding School Secretary

I’m a proud mother of three children who values family, connection, and the simple moments that make life meaningful. I love spending quality time with my family and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Professionally, I have 20 years of experience as a school secretary withing NYC Public Schools, where I’ve had the privilege of supporting students, families, teachers, and school communities. I’m passionate about making a positive difference and being someone others can count on. Outside of work, I have a true passion for cooking. I love preparing delicious meals for the people I love, bringing family and friends together around the table, and sharing the joy that food creates.

Henny Sanchez

School Aide

My name is Ms. Sanchez, and I am excited to join the A.C.E. community as a School Aide. I'm from Medellín, Colombia, and I've lived in NY for 22 years! I am thrilled to support our students as a school aide this year. I'll be here to keep them safe and help them grow! I look forward to working alongside our students, families, and staff to help create a positive and nurturing environment. I will be assisting in the classroom, during dismissal, arrival, the ACE Dining Experience, and many more exciting aspects of our day.

As a School Aide, I am committed to supporting our students, encouraging positive behavior, and helping foster a school community built on Agency, Community, and Excellence. I am excited to build meaningful relationships with our students and contribute to making A.C.E. a place where every child feels welcomed, supported, and inspired.

I look forward to being a part of your child's journey and helping our A.C.E. community soar together!

What to Expect This Year

• I will be supporting the safety and well-being of students during arrival, dismissal, transitions, lunch, recess, and other school activities.
• I will assist teachers with classroom routines, activities, materials, and student needs to help create a productive learning environment.
• I will be encouraging positive behavior, reinforcing school expectations, and helping students develop respectful and responsible habits.
• I will be working collaboratively with teachers, school leaders, and families to maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive school environment.

Nisa Rivera

Founding Paraprofessional

Welcome to a wonderful founding ACE school year! My name is Nisa Rivera, the founding Paraprofessional, and I am absolutely thrilled to join this classroom community as your Paraprofessional. This year, I am most excited about watching your children grow, discover new interests, and build confidence every day. You can expect me to bring endless encouragement, patience, and a smiling face to the classroom to support your child's unique learning journey.

Our classroom is a safe, joyful, and inclusive space where every student is valued for exactly who they are. I believe that learning should be an adventure filled with curiosity and kindness. My goal this year is to ensure your child feels deeply supported, safe to make mistakes, and excited to learn. I hope our students experience the joy of teamwork, celebrate their individual sparks, and leave each day knowing they can achieve great things!