meet our team!
Subha Ahmed
Owner, Director, Teacher
Joined Little Leaders- November 2018
Fun Facts:
- Mom of 3
- Led international service learning trips
- Teaching since 2008 (birth-12th grade)
- Many of the staff were her ELA students!
- Loves spoken word, horses, & dancing
Favorite things about working with children:
“I love children’s energy and brilliance. They bring me joy and I find purpose in teaching and witnessing their growth.”
Jadelynn ‘Jade’ Gonzalez
Assistant Teacher
Joined Little Leaders- February 2023
Fun Facts:
- Lehman College, Class of 2027
- Proud Auntie
- Loves adventure sports & travel
- Entrepreneur/Lash technician
Favorite things about working with children:
Jade loves making children laugh and watching them grow and learn!
Galay Moran
Assistant Teacher
Joined Little Leaders- May 2022
Fun Facts:
- Baruch College, class of 2025
- Soccer player
- Big sister with 4 younger siblings
- Enjoys puzzles
Galay’s favorite part the day at Little Leaders is circle time. She marvels at how fast children learn and are so smart at such a young age.
Jamal Laari
Assistant Teacher
Joined Little Leaders- September 2021
Fun Facts:
- City College, class of 2026
- Soccer player
- Has 7 siblings
- Loves video games
- Moved to the U.S. from Ghana in 6th grade
- Enjoys cooking
Favorite things about working with children:
“I wanted to be a pediatrician for most of my life. I’ve always liked children and I love to see them healthy and having fun!”
True Balija-Toure
Assistant Teacher
Joined Little Leaders- February 2022
Fun Facts:
- An artist specializing in digital art & paintings
- Studying at BMCC She’s also an artist, who makes digital art and paintings.
- She has cool tattoos
- Great at volleyball!
True’s favorite part of working with children is watching them express themselves artistically through arts and crafts and dance parties, “because that’s when I get to see the biggest smiles.”
Ayesha Abdul-Fattah
Lead Teacher, Operations Assistant
Joined Little Leaders- January 2019
Fun Facts:
- City College, class of 2024
- Great skateboarder
- Loves colors and enjoys painting
- Favorite subject-history
Ayesha is studying to become a 1st grade teacher. She loves dance parties and fostering children’s creativity and helping them to develop their voice!
Fey Hidalgo
Rising Lead Teacher
Joined Little Leaders- January 2022
Fun Facts:
- Plans to study psychology & early childhood education
- Has many nieces who she adores
- Enjoys painting
Favorite things about working with children:
Fey enjoys working with children- providing a safe and fun learning environment where she teaches them new things everyday. Fey cherishes the bond with each child and says the love they reciprocate is priceless.
Shanique Brown
Assistant Teacher
Joined Little Leaders- October 2022
Fun Facts:
- Baruch College, psychology major class of 2026!
- Loves coloring and arts & crafts
- Enjoys reading & family time
- A big sister!
Favorite things about working with children:
“I love seeing them grow and mentoring them!”
Esmeralda ‘Esme’ Valencia Santos
Rising Lead Teacher
Joined Little Leaders: February 2022
Fun Facts:
- MVP for Lehman College’s soccer team in 2022!
- Favorite color- purple
- Lehman College, early childhood major, class of 2025
- A big sister!
Favorite things about working with children:
“I love seeing them grow and mentoring them!”