I bring 13 years of experience as an educator and program leader with a strong foundation in social-emotional learning, STEM, and inclusive education. As Head of Programs at Recess, I oversee enrollment, support and supervise teaching staff, and manage daily operations to ensure our programs run smoothly and intentionally. With a Master’s in STEM Education, I am passionate about creating high-quality learning environments, supporting educators in their growth, and building meaningful partnerships with children and families.

With 16 years of proven experience and success in Early Childhood Education across NY, NJ, and PA, I am excited to be an advisor for Recess. I am passionate about child and family engagement, child development, and compliance.

I absolutely adore children and have a strong passion for child development and an odd obsession with administrative tasks. I have had the honor to serve as an early learning specialist, parent advocate, and administrative coordinator for multiple child service agencies.

My name is Hermelinda, and I’ve always loved expressing myself through art and spending time outdoors. Whether I’m painting or horseback riding, I enjoy the creativity, freedom, and peace both bring me.

My name is Sage Torrisi and I am the assistant teacher at Recess. I recently graduated from George Washington University with degree in psychology and am planning to pursue a masters in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. I have always had a passion for working with children and I am so excited to have the opportunity to help cultivate a fun, creative, intellectually stimulating space for kids to learn and explore at Recess.

I have had the privilege of supporting children in educational, arts-based, recreational and caregiving settings for 20 years and counting. With a focus on gentle, attachment-based care and non-coercive learning, I strive to connect with each child, building a relationship of trust and creative collaboration. I love snuggling babies, working out, reading nerdy books, and hanging out with my partner and our family in our West Philly home.

I earned a degree in Marine Biology and have a love for the ocean, but I’ve found my true passion in early education and teaching STEAM. I’ve worked as an online ESL teacher and as an after-school teacher for preschool and kindergarten students. I live with my partner and our energetic two-year-old daughter, who keeps us on our toes! At Recess, my goal is to lead with kindness, spark curiosity, and make learning fun and memorable.

I’m a junior at Temple University, majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Business. With three years of childcare experience, I really enjoy supporting children as they learn, grow, and explore the world around them.