Meet our teachers:

Ms. Amanda was born and raised in Queens, New York. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in Studio Art and Student Personnel from CUNY Queens College. During her studies, she developed a strong interest in the special needs field and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. After graduating, she worked with two-year-olds on the autism spectrum in an early intervention center for 2.5 years. She also has experience working with children from six months to five years old. Amanda joined the Lolly’s family in August 2021 as a co-teacher in the 2-year-old classroom and was promoted to Assistant Teacher in the DOE 3K class in July 2022. In 2025, Ms. Amanda will be transitioning once again to Assistant Teacher in our 4K. While she loves working with kids, Ms. Amanda also has a huge soft spot for animals. In her free time, she enjoys cuddling with her cats and volunteering at a nearby animal shelter.

**Ms. Des (Ms. Desiree),** *Head Teacher, 3K-2*

Ms. Des (Ms. Desiree) joined the Lolly’s team as head 4K teacher in 2022. Born in Brooklyn and now living in Queens, Desiree graduated from Hunter College with a bachelor’s degree in education and is pursuing her master’s degree in early childhood education and English at The City College. She also holds a degree in baking and pastry arts and enjoys baking, traveling, and painting in her free time. As the oldest of five siblings and a former au pair for six years, Desiree has deep roots in New York. With experience as a head teacher in a DOE classroom, she firmly believes in learning through play. Describing herself as creative and artsy, she is super excited to embark on another year at Lolly’s. Ms. Des has quickly become a favorite amongst the children, families and her co-workers. We are so lucky and proud to have her. In July 2025, Ms. Des will be taking on the exciting new role of Lead Teacher in our 3K.

Ms. Lauren, Assistant Teacher, 3K-1

Ms. Lauren is a seasoned, enthusiastic, and loving teacher with nearly a decade of experience teaching toddlers. Over the years, she has worked at three early childhood centers in Long Island City, including Lolly’s. Ms. Lauren began at Lolly’s in 2012 as a part-time floater/substitute before moving to Brighter Babies for a full-time opportunity. Since then, she started her own family, marrying her husband David in 2015, and welcoming their son Christopher in 2016. In 2023, we welcomed Ms. Lauren back to Lolly’s as the Head Teacher of our toddler class. In 2025, Lauren will be taking on the exciting new role of Assistant Teacher for our DOE 3K class. The children absolutely adore her, reflecting her dedication, patience, and nurturing personality. In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and vacationing, especially at Disney. We look forward to many years ahead with Lauren leading our littlest learners.

**Ms. Rashell***, Head Teacher, Toddlers*

Ms. Rashell loves being the Head Teacher of the toddlers at Lolly’s. She began working with children in high school, tutoring and babysitting for numerous families. During college, she worked with children with autism in honor of her sister, who has ASD. Since 2018, she has been teaching toddlers while continuing to gain experience working and volunteering with special needs students. Ms. Rashell joined the Lolly’s family in 2021 and has been an incredible addition to our team. Her favorite activities at Lolly’s include reading stories with silly voices, taking her students outside to the playground and for walks to admire the beautiful buildings. A lifelong New Yorker, Ms. Rashell is passionate about the city, her students, and the LIC community.

Ms. Zuzanna was born and raised in Queens, New York. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hunter College in 2014 and began working at Lolly’s that summer as an Assistant Teacher in the 2-year-old classroom. After a year at Lolly’s, she decided to pursue her master’s degree in early childhood education. In 2016, Ms. Zuzanna became the Head Teacher in the Yellow Room. She earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from Hunter College in 2019 and received her professional certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2). In September 2021, Ms. Zuzanna was promoted to the head 3K teacher. She is passionate about helping her students develop a love for learning and is dedicated to their emotional and social growth. In her spare time, Ms. Zuzanna enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and cats. In July 2025, Ms. Zuzanna will be taking on the exciting new role of Lead Teacher in our 4K. Thank you, Ms. Zuzanna, for over a decade of commitment to Lolly’s and the LIC community.

Ms. Dorothy is the new Head Teacher in the Blue Room at Lolly’s and is thrilled to take on this role in our 3K-1 class. She officially joined the Lolly’s family in July 2025 and is excited to welcome children and families to an engaging year ahead. With four years of experience as a head teacher, Dorothy is enthusiastic, caring, and fun, creating a classroom filled with new, exciting, and challenging opportunities for growth. She earned her Associate’s degree from Queensborough College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Early Education, with a minor in Psychology. Dorothy values strong communication with families and enjoys keeping them updated on their child’s well-being and progress. She is always available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide support. Lolly’s is thrilled to have her on the team and looks forward to all the joy and creativity she will bring to the 3K program. Ms. Dorothy is enthusiastic, fun and warm- a true asset to the Lolly's family.

Ms. Anastasya, affectionately known as Ms. Ana, brings a wealth of experience to Lolly’s from her time at the New York City Autism Charter School, where she created individualized programs to support student learning and skill development, and from the Child Development Center in New York City, where she assisted preschoolers with early literacy, motor skills, and social interaction. One of her favorite things to do in the classroom is engage children in activities that foster a love for reading and literacy. Ms. Ana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hunter College and has completed her Teaching Assistant Certification. She is also well-versed in Health & Safety Awareness in childcare settings, ensuring that students are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment. Beyond her professional expertise, Ms. Ana is genuinely warm and sweet, bringing kindness and dedication to everything she does. She has a love of foreign languages, is fluent in Indonesian, and conversational in French. Her caring nature and commitment to supporting young learners make her a wonderful addition to the Lolly’s community.