FOUNDERS

Yesenia Placencia is the Owner and Education Director of Young Risers.

Yesenia- Education Director

Yesenia, a native New Yorker, founded Young Risers in May 2013. Her eight years of experience in NYC private schools exposed her to the Reggio Approach, inspiring her to create a school offering this enriching learning experience to families in her community. Yesenia holds a Master of Science in Special Education from Concordia College and is a New York State certified Early Childhood Education Professional.

Raul Placencia is the co-owner and Executive Director of Young Risers LLC.

Raul- Executive Director

Raul has lived in Sunset Park since 1988. He values his family and community and understands the need of quality child care. He worked for a private hedge fund in Manhattan for 17 years. Along side his wife, Yesenia, he is now devoted to the growth of Young Risers and instilling the schools vision and mission within their community.

Young Risers Educators

Young Risers educators know the importance of implementing the ideals of the "100 Languages of Children." They allow the children the opportunity to play with materials and explore them in their own way. Teachers embrace the uniqueness of each individual child and nourish their developmental growth as a whole within our classroom community. We look for a common thread or theme that sparks interest in a group of children and evoke provocative areas in the classroom based on educational subjects such as Math, Language and Literacy, Science, Social-Emotional development, Music and the Arts.

Educators

Infant-Toddler Teachers

Infant Teachers are singing and clapping with their students on the circle rug.

Jesenia & Mayra

We're so fortunate to have Jesenia leading our Infant/Toddler classroom. With over three years of experience here, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a true passion for early childhood development. She holds her CDA for both Infant/Toddler and Preschool, demonstrating her commitment to this age group. Mayra, our dedicated Assistant Teacher, complements the team perfectly. They both share a special understanding of the joys and needs of infants and toddlers, as they are mothers themselves.

2/3's Teachers

Infant-Toddler Teachers

The 2's classroom is having Music with Tami.

Teresa & Elizabeth

Our Older Toddler classroom is a place where children flourish, thanks to Teresa and Elizabeth. Teresa's four years at Young Risers have solidified her expertise in play-based learning, allowing children to thrive through exploration and discovery. Teresa has her CDA in Preschool. Elizabeth joined our team in 2023 as our Assistant Teacher and brings her own passion for nurturing young minds. As mothers, they both share a deep commitment to creating a loving and stimulating environment.

Preschool Teachers

Infant-Toddler Teachers

Preschool Teachers

Adriel

Music Teacher

Preschool Teachers

Tami

Believes in the importance of Music in early childhood. She joins us once a week and guides our children in properly using different instruments. She encourages musical terms through songs and dance.

Ateliarista

Jahidah

Jahidah recognizes that children have many languages of expression and thousands of ideas. She is a professional Art teacher that focuses on providing different mediums for our children allowing them the opportunity to express themselves freely. Jahidah Diaab has a B.A. in fine arts and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education—Birth through Second Grade.