With over 14 years of experience in both independent and public schools, Mayra Licera is a dedicated and passionate educator specializing in early childhood and elementary education as well as Spanish language instruction. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Manhattanville College, with dual certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Her teaching journey is deeply rooted in a family tradition of early childhood educators, and her commitment to fostering a love of learning is evident in every aspect of her work.
Throughout her career, Mayra has specialized in kindergarten readiness and has extensive experience teaching Spanish to students from Pre-K through Grade 12. Her work in the kindergarten admissions process at independent schools has provided her with valuable insight into early learning benchmarks and developmental expectations. She is also a skilled tutor in all core academic subjects and brings a wealth of knowledge in both formative and summative assessments for Pre-K through Grade 3.
A seasoned literacy and math interventionist, Mayra has received training in Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Fundations, Sounds in Motion, and Heggerty—programs that enhance phonemic awareness and foundational literacy skills. In mathematics, she is well-versed in the TERC Investigations, Bridges, EngageNY, and Contexts for Learning curricula, allowing her to meet diverse learning needs with research-based strategies.
Currently serving in New York City’s District 3 on the Upper West Side, Mayra leads both small and large group instruction for English language learners. She collaborates with colleagues to develop developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive curricula that support newcomers in building both academic language and confidence.
Previously, she spent nearly a decade in independent schools on the Upper West Side, where she also taught Spanish to English-speaking students. Her approach is student-centered—she takes time to understand each child’s interests, using them to inspire curiosity and engagement in the classroom.
In her free time, Mayra enjoys traveling, learning new things, and spending quality time with her husband and their five-month-old baby. She brings the same sense of joy, curiosity, and care from her home life into the classroom every day.
Kasey Tanenbaum Hogan is an experienced educator with a diverse range of skills and expertise. She has experience teaching and tutoring students Pre-K through 5th Grade. She also has experience mentoring students through High School.
Born and raised in Paris, France, Nathalie Biju-Duval spent summers in Catalunya, Spain, where her family still owns a home in the small town of Begur. It was here, while playing with other children her age, that Nathalie became fluent in Spanish.
Erin Sauchelli Farrell graduated from Lafayette College with a BA in International Affairs and Spanish, and with honors from New York University with a dual MA in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and Teaching English as a Second Language. She draws on experience from her career in advertising and marketing, as well teaching different subjects and age levels, to help support students in language and literacy development. Erin loves to travel and spent several semesters abroad during her time in undergraduate and graduate school.
Dan Muro is a