Our Philosophy
Children lead.Nido is carefully designed to ensure that children can take the lead, while we adults support them and hold boundaries as necessary. Our curriculum supports each child's development by drawing from their interests. While the basic structure may remain the same, every class is unique and evolves with the group. Our teachers are experts at facilitating learning through play and modeling.
Language takes root.Learning a new language requires repeated exposure, use and desire. Our goal is to cultivate a strong desire in each child by connecting Spanish to joy, community, and their world. We encourage their use of the language by immersing the children in Spanish as it connects to their play. Our songbooks and the friends you make in class are an invitation to continue the exposure at home and beyond.
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All are welcome.We welcome families from all backgrounds to learn alongside us, share in our cultures, and find common ground. Whether you are a native Spanish speaker or just starting out, you will find a home here.
Children and adults of all abilities are an important part of our community. We will work with you to make sure everyone can participate comfortably. Culture blossoms.We provide a fully immersive experience where the children and adults alike are enveloped by not only the language but the rich culture of Latin America with traditional foods, music and materials. You might find us singing De Colores in the Springtime, shaking maracas, or sharing warm pan de elote.
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Our Team
Melina Gac Levin, M.S.Ed.
She/Her
Co-Founder
Melina was born in Colombia to Chilean and Puerto Rican parents. She grew up traveling the world, playing outdoors, and picking up languages as she went. She is a parent to two bilingual children.
Melina has over a decade of experience supporting families and teachers in and out of the classroom. She teaches graduate courses in child development at Bank Street College of Education, from which she holds dual degrees in Infant and Family Development and Early Childhood Education. She is a partner in Premier Pediatrics' First Month Project and a contributor to Motherly. Melina teaches classes on child development for parents and educators. She also offers comprehensive, approachable private or employer-sponsored consultations.
NIDO was born out of my desire to create a space where my daughters could connect our home language to a larger community, to the joy of exploration, and to a shared experience of discovery.
www.melinagac.com
ig: @melinagaclevin
Melina has over a decade of experience supporting families and teachers in and out of the classroom. She teaches graduate courses in child development at Bank Street College of Education, from which she holds dual degrees in Infant and Family Development and Early Childhood Education. She is a partner in Premier Pediatrics' First Month Project and a contributor to Motherly. Melina teaches classes on child development for parents and educators. She also offers comprehensive, approachable private or employer-sponsored consultations.
NIDO was born out of my desire to create a space where my daughters could connect our home language to a larger community, to the joy of exploration, and to a shared experience of discovery.
www.melinagac.com
ig: @melinagaclevin
Paulina Trevino-Oliva, B.A
She/Her
Co-Founder, Teacher
Paulina was born and raised in Mexico. She spent her childhood days covered in dirt, climbing trees, and wandering at the park making friends all over the barrio until it was dinner time. She had the opportunity to study abroad in the U.S. and decided to embrace the adventure making it permanent.
Paulina holds a Bachelor 's degree in Psychology from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and has continued her education with courses in Neuropsychology and RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers). She began her career as a child therapist assisting underprivileged children impacted by the drug war in Mexico during the early 2010s, and has worked as a school psychologist, preschool teacher, and caregiver.
She is a strong advocate of unstructured child-led play, playing in all weather and believes children deserve spaces where they are approached with curiosity, compassion and unconditional love. In her free time she enjoys taking care of her indoor jungle, cooking Mexican food, treasure hunting at thrift stores, and taking long walks with her husband Adrián.
Paulina holds a Bachelor 's degree in Psychology from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and has continued her education with courses in Neuropsychology and RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers). She began her career as a child therapist assisting underprivileged children impacted by the drug war in Mexico during the early 2010s, and has worked as a school psychologist, preschool teacher, and caregiver.
She is a strong advocate of unstructured child-led play, playing in all weather and believes children deserve spaces where they are approached with curiosity, compassion and unconditional love. In her free time she enjoys taking care of her indoor jungle, cooking Mexican food, treasure hunting at thrift stores, and taking long walks with her husband Adrián.
Katheryne Vega Mesina
She/They
Assistant Teacher
Katheryne was born in Chile and spent her formative childhood years in Santiago before coming to New York.
After attending school on Long Island, she returned to Chile for university, and spent her early adult years nurturing her lifelong interests in the natural world and in child development. She attended Universidad de Valparaiso where she attained a Bachelor’s degree and later a doctorate in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography. And alongside her studies, she spent time working at an outdoor primary school, helping six and seven year olds to make sense of the world around them.
Since moving back to New York in 2015, she has continued developing her two main passions. She has organized environmental studies workshops for children in Elmhurst and Corona and worked closely with children in one-on-one settings. She also works as a marine biologist at the United Nations, with recent projects focusing on changes to algae and salinity levels.
She envisions NIDO as a space that perfectly combines her interests, and that can offer a unique outlet to children who might share her passion in understanding the natural world.
After attending school on Long Island, she returned to Chile for university, and spent her early adult years nurturing her lifelong interests in the natural world and in child development. She attended Universidad de Valparaiso where she attained a Bachelor’s degree and later a doctorate in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography. And alongside her studies, she spent time working at an outdoor primary school, helping six and seven year olds to make sense of the world around them.
Since moving back to New York in 2015, she has continued developing her two main passions. She has organized environmental studies workshops for children in Elmhurst and Corona and worked closely with children in one-on-one settings. She also works as a marine biologist at the United Nations, with recent projects focusing on changes to algae and salinity levels.
She envisions NIDO as a space that perfectly combines her interests, and that can offer a unique outlet to children who might share her passion in understanding the natural world.
Natalia Muñoz Durango
She/Her
Assistant Teacher
Natalia Munoz Durango is a Multi-disciplinary Arts Educator and activist with a diverse and eclectic background. Born and raised in Colombia, Natalia has always been fascinated about diversity, culture and tradition. She has trained in Afro-Brazilian, Haitian, Capoeira and several Afro-Colombian rhythms. Her understanding and love for arts education is inspired by her own experience as a child.
Natalia strongly believes in the power of the arts as a vehicle for social justice and has conducted extensive research on themes of racial justice, cultural equity and inclusion. Natalia is currently a recipient of the 2019 Innovative Cultural Advocacy Fellowship at CCCADI (Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute.) In addition, Natalia is strongly committed to bringing participant centered arts programming that is inclusive to communities that have been underrepresented and historically oppressed as a tool for healing and social change
Some of her community projects include: INSITU Site- Specific Dance Festival/ New York, Iniciativa Colibri/ Nicaragua, Theater of oppressed/ Guatemala, Imagine action apprenticeship Colombia and Tools of imagine action among others. Natalia currently teaches literacy through drama, theater in education, creative Movement, bilingual drama classes and storytelling, serving pre-k, elementary, middle and high school students throughout the New York City Public school. In addition to her love for arts education Natalia loves riding her bicycle around Brooklyn, taking long walks in nature, and making her favorite food: “arepas” (Colombian corn-cakes).
Natalia strongly believes in the power of the arts as a vehicle for social justice and has conducted extensive research on themes of racial justice, cultural equity and inclusion. Natalia is currently a recipient of the 2019 Innovative Cultural Advocacy Fellowship at CCCADI (Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute.) In addition, Natalia is strongly committed to bringing participant centered arts programming that is inclusive to communities that have been underrepresented and historically oppressed as a tool for healing and social change
Some of her community projects include: INSITU Site- Specific Dance Festival/ New York, Iniciativa Colibri/ Nicaragua, Theater of oppressed/ Guatemala, Imagine action apprenticeship Colombia and Tools of imagine action among others. Natalia currently teaches literacy through drama, theater in education, creative Movement, bilingual drama classes and storytelling, serving pre-k, elementary, middle and high school students throughout the New York City Public school. In addition to her love for arts education Natalia loves riding her bicycle around Brooklyn, taking long walks in nature, and making her favorite food: “arepas” (Colombian corn-cakes).
Carolina Andrea Lamiell, B.S.Ed
She/Her Assistant teacher |
Carolina was born in Chile and moved to New York five years ago. She attended the University of Playa Ancha of Educational Sciences in Valparaíso where she obtained her degree as a professor of History and Geography, in addition to her bachelor's degrees in education and history.
She has more than ten years of experience in the education of children and adolescents. Before moving to New York, she spent her days teaching in the classrooms and doing historical research. Currently, she is doing her training as an E.L.E teacher and works with children in their early childhoods, especially around their immersion in the Spanish language.
Carolina is also a musician and singer. As an educator, she has applied her musical knowledge to her daily work with children.Carolina sees in NIDO a free space where children are respected in all their dimensions. She believes that the freedom and respect we have around their autonomy, feelings, and desires is essential to their growth and the way they will face the world.
She has more than ten years of experience in the education of children and adolescents. Before moving to New York, she spent her days teaching in the classrooms and doing historical research. Currently, she is doing her training as an E.L.E teacher and works with children in their early childhoods, especially around their immersion in the Spanish language.
Carolina is also a musician and singer. As an educator, she has applied her musical knowledge to her daily work with children.Carolina sees in NIDO a free space where children are respected in all their dimensions. She believes that the freedom and respect we have around their autonomy, feelings, and desires is essential to their growth and the way they will face the world.