Teacher Page

Trang Hua

Teacher

Degree

Master’s degree in Childhood Education

Experience

18 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Chinese

Trang Hua has an early childhood educator for 18 years, working at Hamilton Madison House since 2009. Trang says: “I love children and love working with them. I believe that to be a good teacher is to be able to open and continuously implement my new strategies. Trang has a Master’s degree in Childhood Education and NYS a teacher’s certification in Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education.

Gabriela Rivera

Teacher

Degree

Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Birth though Grade 2

Experience

26 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Gabriela Rivera began her career at Hamilton-Madison House in the summer of 1996. Shortly thereafter, she was hired as a Lead Teacher in our preschool. Prior to joining HMH she interned in several schools in East Harlem while pursuing her degree. Gaby has a bachelor’s degree education, pre- kindergarten, kindergarten, & grades 1-6 and a master’s degree in early childhood education, birth though grade 2.

Jessica Gomez

Assistant Teacher

Degree

Experience

4 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Jessica Gomez joined the Hamilton-Madison team in the spring of 2019. Prior to joining HMH Jessica worked with preschool and school age children in the Little Red School House as well as several other settlement houses and community based organizations

Chanel Ren

Assistant Teacher

Degree

Master’s degree in early childhood education Candidate

Experience

2 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Chinese

Chanel Ren joined Hamilton-Madison House in the fall of 2020 as an Assistant Teacher. A graduate of Stony Brook University with prior early childhood experience, Chanel has supported the 3 and 4-year-old classrooms at HMH. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University.

Soan Vasquez

Assistant Teacher

Degree

Human Development and Early Childhood Education Bachelor Candidate

Experience

9 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Soan Vasquez joined Hamilton- Madison House in 2018 as a substitute teacher. After doing a fantastic job she was hired permanently as an Assistant Teacher as she continued to pursue her studies in education. In 2020 she assumed the Lead Teacher position while pursuing her degree in Human Development and Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children from preschool to elementary education for the past nine years.

Kathryn Chan

Enrollment Specialist

Degree

Family Development Credential

Experience

20 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Chinese

Kathryn Chan has been working children and families for 20 years, the last two years of her career has been with Hamilton-Madison House supporting and enrolling families. Kathryn supports our team with translating and interpretation in Mandarin and Cantonese. Kathryn has a FDC (Family Development Credential) and various course work in Family Development.

Otto Dorias

Assistant Teacher

Degree

Child Development Associate Credential

Experience

7 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Otto Disla began his career in Early Childhood Education in 2015 as a work study volunteer. Otto graduated from the Institute for Career Development and holds a Child Development Associate Credential from Lehman College School of Professional Studies.

Laura Mejia

Family Worker

Degree

Bachelor’s degree in Social Service

Experience

Languages Spoken

English and Spanish

More about Staff…

Felicia Pate

Teacher

Degree

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education

Experience

21 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Felicia Pate has 21 years’ experience in Early Childhood education. Felicia joined the Hamilton-Madison team in 2019. Felicia says “I love what I do and will continue to give my all to the children and families in the community.”

Favorite Book: Pete the Cat Stories

Felicia hold a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree

Sandra Collazo

Assistant Teacher

Degree

Child Development Associate Credential

Experience

24 years

Languages Spoken

English and Spanish

Sandra Collazo has been working at Hamilton Madison House for the past 24 years as Assistant Teacher working with 3 and 4-year-old children. Sandra’s favorite book is “Pete the Cat – I Love my White Shoes” by Eric Litwin and James Dean. Sandra has a CDA Credential.

Crystal Cho

Family Worker

Degree

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology

Experience

7 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Chinese

Crystal Cho began working with Hamilton-Madison House since in 2015 as a volunteer. In 2018 she joined the Early Care and Education team as a Family Worker. Crystal has Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a FDC (Family Development Credential)

Rose Pena

Assistant Teacher

Degree

Child Development Associate Credential

Experience

23 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Rose Pena has been employed by Hamilton-Madison House for 23 years. Rose has a CDA (Child Development Credential. Rose loves working with children as is evident with her long tenure at the agency.

Her favorite book is “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle

Lisa Ferguson

Assistant Teacher

Degree

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

Experience

25 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Lisa Ferguson has been with Hamilton Madison House for over 25 years. Throughout her career she has worked with diverse groups of children reflecting many cultures and learning abilities. Her goal is to support young children in becoming successful, independent, thinkers and learners. I use my love of reading to engage the children during read- aloud, so that they too, will build a love for reading as well. Lisa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. I have also taken many courses and trainings to keep abreast of what is new in the educational field.

Sandra Parrales

Teacher

Degree

Masters with a dual major in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs Education

Experience

15 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Spanish

Sandra Parrales has been working in the field of early childhood education for 15 years, she joined the Hamilton-Madison House team in the fall of 2020. Throughout her tenure in the she has earned an Associate in Bilingual Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Masters with a dual major in Early Childhood Education and Special Needs Education. Sandra has a passion for working with children, and enjoys impacting the formative years of children.

Her favorite quote is: “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” By Ignacio Estrada

Helen Seitz

Teacher

Degree

Master’s degree in early childhood education Candidate

Experience

Languages Spoken

English and Chinese

Helen has been working for Hamilton-Madison House for four years as a Lead Teacher. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Education with NYS teaching certification. Helen is currently enrolled in course work matriculating towards her Master’s degree. Her favorite Book is: “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” by Eric Litwin & James Dean

Tiffany Hecker

Education Specialist

Degree

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work

Experience

4 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Tiffany Hecker has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for 3 and half years. Tiffany has been working for Hamilton Madison House since the fall of 2020. Tiffany enjoys her works as an Educational Specialist providing coaching for quality enhancement in Family Child Care homes. Tiffany has an Associate’s Degree in Human Services and Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with the focus in Child Welfare.

Amy Tong

Bookkeeper

Degree

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Experience

20 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Chinese

Amy Tong has over 20 years in Hamilton Madison House in the Bookkeeping and Accounting Departments. Amy joined the Hamilton-Madison House team as an International student. Amy says:” I am always excited to be able to work in this community serving children and families”. Amy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

Jeanette Diaz

Lead Family Worker

Degree

Child Development Associate and Family Development Credential

Experience

40 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Spanish

Jeanette Diaz has in the Social Service field for over 40 years on the Lower Eastside of Manhattan. Jeanette’s passion is helping Families reach their goals. Jeanette has a CDA (Child Development Associate) and a FDC (Family Development Credential)

Veronica Gilmore

Family Worker

Degree

Early Childhood/Human Service Bachelor Canidate

Experience

15 Years

Languages Spoken

English

Veronica Gilmore has over 15 years of experience with working with children and families. Veronica has been working with Hamilton- Madison House for 3 years. Throughout her tenure Veronica has worked as an early childhood educator and a Family Worker. She is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood/Human Service.

Shu-Ji Chau

Family Worker

Degree

Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology

Experience

20 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Chinese

Shu Chau has been working with Hamilton Madison House in the Family Child Care Network for over 20 years, 18 years of her career has been at Hamilton-Madison House. She says: “I really enjoy helping children and families.” Shu has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.

Stephanie Yeung

Family Worker

Degree

Child Development Associate Credential

Experience

30 Years

Languages Spoken

English and Chinese

Stephanie Yeung has worked at Hamilton-Madison House for over 30 years. She began her work at HMH as a volunteer with the older adults and transitioned into the Early Childhood department in 2001. Stephanie enjoys working with the Family Child Care Providers monitoring their home to ensure the environments are safe and the children are getting nutritious meals.