After working as a Group Supervisor at the Children’s Museum in Puerto Rico back in 2006, Diane discovered her passion towards education and early childhood. Since then, she received a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in theatre before leaving to New York to earn her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from NYU. This experience inspired her to become not only an inclusive educator within New York City but also to create a program where children could learn a second language while portraying the best of their personality utilizing theatre and music as educational platforms. With the help of a lot of people she started what we know as Pantomima today; a place to play, grow and learn. All around an environment filled with a healthy sense of cooperation, kindness and positive self-esteem.
After almost 9 years, she feels Pantomima is home; a safe place to grow for every child. A place where children can be themselves and enjoy remarkable experiences which will form and define their personality for future school years.
Hello, my name is Sonia Nacipucha, co-founder of Pantomima since 2011. I began my educational career from a very young age back in my country Ecuador. I started off teaching young children in pre-k and kindergarten. After moving to the U.S. I obtained my teacher assistant’s certificate at City Tech College and began my first official teaching position working as an assistant teacher in Park Slope, Brooklyn. I previously ran a successful soccer program for young children from the age of 3 years until 16 years old. After the program ended I began my formal educational career as a co-founder, Head Supervisor at Pantomima, working with such an amazing group of children and developing the program to its maximum capacity of quality for all our families in the area of Brooklyn.
As an educator, it is a privilege for Tanya serve the community by providing a secure, nurturing and inclusive learning environment for all the children, staff and parents. The main goal throughout her work is to build a diverse learning community that is filled with creativity, independence, responsibility, care and genuine respect for self and others. Through a variety of effective pedagogical strategies and cooperative partnership between families and staff, she works on implementing protocols and activities that enhances the child’s learning experience. Working at Pantomima, she feels honored to be part of an extraordinary program where all teachers, students and families are actively engaged in developing a love and enthusiasm for learning through theatre and art. She is dedicated to help our children to confidently reach their full potential through performing arts, hands-on experience and second language. Undoubtedly, she believes the following: “Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together, make this world a beautiful garden.”
She looks forward to “planting” a garden together full of beautiful, diverse and unique flowers!
Tanya has an educational background that includes a B.A. in Education and Children and Youth Studies (concentration) from Brooklyn College. She is licensed by the New York State in Childhood Education. Previously, she has served in the Department of Education in Brooklyn from 2017-2019. She is currently working on a M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Jireh is born and raised in Puerto Rico. She came to New York when she was a child not knowing any English. As a student in New York she met a teacher that was a positive influence and contributed to her love for education. As a teenager, she dedicated much of her time in service to the Latino community as well as worked with outreach programs to educate, guide and mentor. She also worked engaging children for her community outreach program at her local church. Since then, she had a deep desire to work toward educating young minds; as an early childhood educator.
Her real passion for teaching early childhood came from her daughters who are now 10 and 5 years old. Seeing them grow and watching them nurture a sense of wonder for learning, created a desire for inspiring little minds. She has dedicated herself to creating learning environments and educational experiences that foster creativity and growth. In her extensive career in education she has been assistant teacher at Preschool of American, head teacher at group family day cares, and head teacher at Maryel School of New York Spanish immersion school. She has acquired her associate in education at Boricua College where she also graduated with a bachelor in Education in December 2021 while working at Pantomima as a lead teacher for our PRE-K 2 classroom.
Favorite quote…
“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace”
- Confucius