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Staff
Ciani Espada
I.A. Founding Principal/Project Director
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Aeris Russi
Founding Special Education Teacher
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Jia Chen
Founding Teacher
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Diana Delgado
Founding Teacher
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Thomas Hackett
Founding Teacher
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Carmen Gonzalez
Founding Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
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Woodrow Scott
Founding Parent Coordinator
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Susana Morales
Founding School Secretary
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Ciani Espada
I.A. Founding Principal/Project Director
Coming Soon
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
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!
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.
Proudly part of District 30!
Contact Information
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Temporary Site September 2026
Temporary Address: 11-11 40 Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101
Temporary Address: 11-11 40 Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101
Permanent Site September 2028
Permanent Address: 23-10 43 Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101
Permanent Address: 23-10 43 Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101