Our Team
All BCPS staff have completed training which must be kept current: First Aid/CPR/AED (including infant), NY State Mandated Reporter, Identifying and Responding to Anaphylaxis, Prevention and Identification of Brain Injuries including Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), Food Safety Protection, Foundations in Health & Safety, Infectious Disease Control, and any other requirements presented by the NYCDOHMH. In addition, the school director holds certification in Medication Administration (MAT), Narcan Spray Administration, and FDNY Fitness for Fire and Emergency Drill Conductor (F-07).
Jaclyn Meltzer, School Director & Education Coordinator
Jackie began at BCPS first as a lead 3s teacher and then in 2021 assumed the role of School Director and Educational Coordinator. She taught at the elementary level for 15 years and prides herself on bringing out each child’s full potential as a learner while fostering their social and emotional growth. Jackie holds a master’s degree in elementary education from Hofstra University and New York state certifications in elementary education and gifted and talented education. She resides in our own neighborhood and enjoys spending time with her two daughters (one of whom attended BCPS), being crafty, and exploring all the city has to offer. An avid reader, Jackie’s favorite book for children is a series by Karma Wilson, which includes Bear’s New Friend and Bear Feels Sick.
Q: What exactly is play-based learning?
Play is one of the most significant means by which children explore, investigate, imagine and learn how the world works and discover their unique place in it. In play-based learning, structure exists but the emphasis is on guiding children to learn with lessons carried out through play and socialization. It is an active, child-initiated process that supports children’s learning in many domains including physical, social/emotional, creative, science, math, language, and literacy. Play-based learning allows children to play for the sake of learning, not forsake play for learning.
Q: What is your vision for the school?
Our mission statement defines two aspects of what we envision for Bridge Community Playschool. First, we want to offer young children a gentle, safe introduction to this new experience called “school”. And second, we want our student body to reflect the wonderfully diverse community of the neighborhood.
Q: How does BCPS prepare my child for the next step in education?
Here at BCPS, we take satisfaction in knowing we meet and exceed the criteria that NYC private and public schools require and set forth. Our goal is to provide each child with a comprehensive and age-appropriate curriculum that is driven by high standards, yet also caters to the individual needs and emotional nourishment that young children require. I am positive that every child who spends their formative years at our preschool will be set on the path to educational success.
Miss Christine, Lead Teacher, 3b4
With over ten years of teaching experience, Christine is enthusiastic about inspiring a love of learning in young children and one of her greatest joys is fostering a lifelong appreciation for reading, believing that the earlier children discover books, the greater the impact. Her passion for early childhood education led her to pursue a second master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercy College and earn her New York State certification to teach children from birth-2nd grade. She also holds a master’s degree in Clinical Research/Psychology from Iona College. Christine loves discovering new places with her family through travel and also through her love of reading. Her two favorite children’s books are Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman and The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.
Q: What is most important for your classroom?
At the preschool level, it is so important to have joy in the classroom. We are teaching the children to share, make friends and learn their letters and numbers, but it is as equally essential to play, sing and dance and instill in each child the fundamental wonder and joy of learning. In fact, I believe it is imperative to nurture the whole child and am glad that BCPS believes this too. It is very exciting to be part of the field of early childhood education and I am happy to be part of such a wonderful school community!
Miss Lauren, Lead Teacher, 3a
Nothing gives Lauren more pleasure than to help each child in her class take part in constructing their own learning through explorative collaborations with teachers and peers. Her classroom environment is purposeful in making the children feel safe to explore, to ask questions, to take risks, and to make mistakes. She has eleven years of experience working in early childhood settings and holds a master’s degree in early childhood and childhood general education from Bank Street College. She is also New York state certified in birth-2nd grade. Lauren enjoys doing science experiments and collecting bugs with her 8-year-old son, exploring museums, baking, and reading books, including one of her favorite children’s book, Thank you, Omu, by Oge Mora.
Q: What is the role of the family in your classroom?
Because families are the primary context for children’s development and learning, I believe that bridging the space between home and school is essential in creating the most supportive environment for children and their families. Partnering with families makes a strong statement of mutual support and commitment to the children and encourages trust, open communication, and cooperation.
Miss Julizza, Lead Teacher, 2a & 2b
A winning mixture of warmth, patience, and enthusiasm is what makes Julizza the perfect teacher for our youngest group of 2s. She has worked with young children for over eight years and will complete her master’s degree in early childhood education at Mercy College in spring 2027.
Q: What excites you most about teaching?
Everything about teaching excites me and I can’t imagine working in any profession other than education, especially with preschool-aged children. I love early childhood education specifically because this is the beginning of building an educational foundation and a joy for learning. I always strive to keep the fun in learning and love to sing and dance with the children in my class and I am also most passionate about early childhood literacy, probably because of my own lifelong love of reading.
Miss Jesa, Asst. Teacher, 3b4
Jesa is thrilled to be in her dream job, working in a school that values and supports the development and well being of each child as much as she does. She finds great pleasure in making a positive difference in the lives of young children. Jesa holds an associate degree in Computer Programming, but her true calling has always been working with children of which she has done the past 20 years. Her two favorite book series to read with children are Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion and also Pete the Cat by James & Kimberly Dean.
Miss P, Asst. Teacher, 3a
Miss P brings over a decade of nurturing and teaching children from infancy through age 12 including roles in childcare, after-school programs, and summer camps. A native New Yorker, Miss P attended high school only a few blocks from BCPS and is excited to reconnect with the neighborhood community. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. Her favorite book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar but adores any book written by Eric Carle, even traveling all the way to Virginia just to get his autograph.
Miss Briana, Assistant Teacher 3a
Briana loves being a part of the BCPS community, where she can help build meaningful relationships with its children and families, and make each day in the classroom happy and enriching. A native New Yorker and mother of three grown children, she has over 20 years of experience caring for and supporting young children. Briana earned her undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Brooklyn College. Her favorite children’s book series is The Magic School Bus by Joanna Cole, particularly The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth, which she first discovered through the television show Reading Rainbow.
Miss Miki, Asst. Teacher, 2a & 2b
Miki brings positivity, empathy and genuine care to her role. She has a passion for teaching and a natural connection with children, ensuring her students feel nurtured and loved. Miki received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida and was an elementary school teacher in Miami for ten years before moving to New York and having three daughters. She is a workout enthusiast and loves being outdoors in nature, so much so that during the summer months Miki serves as a counselor at the sleep away camp that her daughters attend. Miki has many favorite children’s books including I’ll Love You Forever, Oh the Place You’ll Go and ANYTHING by Nancy Tillman.
Miss Danielle, Administrative Assistant
Danielle is the friendly face at the door that greets our families each morning. She helps with the school’s ever-growing administrative paperwork and also lends a hand when needed in the classrooms or during large motor play. She acquired her undergraduate degree for creative writing at SUNY Brockport and taught procedural classes on editing and publication. Danielle has the best of two worlds as she gets to combine her administrative talents with her love of being with young children. She always keeps her favorite children’s book, The Little Prince, by her bedside as a reminder that language opens new spaces and new possibilities.
In addition to our regular staff, specialty teachers join us each week.
Music – Designed to engage children through rhythmic exercises, instrument exploration, and sing-a-longs. The use of original kids’ music, nursery rhymes with different rhythmic components and popular music from around the world instills a love of “all things” musical in our children.
Movement – Introduces our preschoolers to the basics of physical fitness through music and active play. It’s the perfect way to help them build balance, body awareness, and confidence while singing, shaking and stretching their limbs and imaginations.
Spanish – Gives our children opportunity to explore the Spanish language through lively songs and games, designed to help build a vocabulary of simple Spanish words and phrases. Early exposure to other languages fosters curiosity about other cultures and provides a foundation for future language learning.
Chess – Our 3s and 4s children learn to play and love chess even at a young age! Classes are centered on a story-based curriculum where each chess piece has their own quirky story. It is a fun way for the children to learn the game while developing critical thinking, strategy and problem-solving skills.
Math-Gym – Creates a fun learning experience for our 3s and 4s children to explore and develop curiosity around simple counting and arithmetic concepts. The class time is full of interactive and age-appropriate activities, games, and songs with the underlying goal to foster a love of math in every child.