Melissa Melkonian
Founder & Executive Director
Melissa Melkonian has been a New York City educator for nearly 20 years. She began her career as a bilingual special education teacher in Inwood with the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), where she taught students in grades 5-8 in both English and Spanish.
Melissa then joined a charter school in the Bronx where she continued to teach before becoming the middle school's assistant principal. Melissa earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Policy from Trinity College, Master's in Bilingual and Special Education from Mercy College and Ed.M. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Nick Gallagher
Chief of Staff
Nick Gallagher joined The American Dream School (ADS) in January of 2014. Nick spent the beginning of his career in the public library setting as a librarian. Prior to joining ADS, Nick’s work included research in the fields of education and public health.
Nick has dedicated his career to leveling the playing field for under-resourced populations. Nick earned a Bachelor's in Political Science from California State University, Los Angeles, a Master’s of Library and Information Science from UCLA and a Master’s of Public Health at Columbia University.
Beatriz Bañuelos
Middle School Director
Beatriz began her teaching career in 2006 as a Teach for America corps member, teaching History in both English and Spanish to students in southern Texas. In 2009, she moved to New York City where she taught History to students in the Bronx for five years before leaving to teach court-involved youth. Beatriz joined The American Dream School in 2015. At ADS, Beatriz served as the Spanish department chair and later as the assistant principal before being named middle school director.
Beatriz is originally from Los Angeles and is the daughter of Mexican immigrants who worked tirelessly to provide their children with access to the American Dream. Her parents emphasized the importance of education and finding work that that was fulfilling.
Beatriz earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Science with an emphasis on Multi-Cultural Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine. She earned a Master's in Sociology from CUNY Brooklyn College and an Ed.M in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Jesus A. García
High School Director
Jesus A. García is a proud Puerto Rican and Bronx Native. He has been an educator for over a decade and he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary English Education, a Master of Science in Special Education, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from The City College of New York. He has also worked in collaboration with The New York City Teaching Fellows serving in leadership roles such as Lead Instructor, Teacher Development Coach, Fellow Effectiveness Manager, and Teaching Academy Director.
Jesus also earned his New York State School Building Leader certification and has served in other leadership capacities which include, but are not limited to Teacher Team Leader, Leadership Coach, and Assistant Principal with The New York City Department of Education. In his work as a Teacher Team Leader, Jesus worked in collaboration with the AP4ALL Initiative out of the Office of Equity and Access and supported the leadership of several Principals, Assistant Principals, Master Teachers, Peer Collaborative Teachers, and Model Teachers across multiple New York City school districts.
As the first in his family to graduate from college with multiple degrees, Jesus believes that education are the keys to liberation and success.
Greg Miranda
Assistant High School Director
Señor Miranda aka Batman is a proud Afro-Latino from the South Bronx. Before his role as Assistant Director at the High School, he taught Algebra 1 and served as the 9th grade team leader at ADS.
Being the first in his family to attend and graduate college receiving a Bachelors of Arts in Education and a Masters of Science in Secondary Education at University at Albany (SUNY).
Professionally he strives to serve all members of his school community by being an effective and transformational leader.
Gisselle Robinson
Assistant High School Director
Gisselle began her education career as a NYC Teaching Fellow in 2007. For 10 years, she taught mathematics to middle and high school students in the South Bronx. Gisselle also mentored and coached preservice teachers at Mercy College. She then joined The American Dream School as an eighth grade math teacher, later serving as the High School Mathematics Department Chair and Assessment Coordinator.
Gisselle earned a Bachelor's in History and Sociology from Fordham University, a Master's in Mathematics Education from City College, and a Master's in Education Leadership from Pace University.
Gisselle is a native Bronxite and the proud daughter of immigrants from the Dominican Republic. She enjoys hiking, minions, and geeking out over Algebra I.
Michael Duque
Director of Curriculum
Señor Duque was born and raised in Florida and spent many years developing his love of reading and writing. He comes from a loud, large, and loving Cuban family who taught him how to reach for his goals, apply himself in school, and how to roast a pig in the backyard. In 2008, he graduated from Florida State University and moved to NYC to teach ELA with Teach for America. Four years ago he joined the ADS and has enjoyed getting to become part of our team and family. You can find Señor Duque at the middle school campus sharing his love of books and his love of teaching.
Niki DeGiorgio
Middle School Dean of School Culture
Niki was born in the Bronx and raised in southwest Connecticut. After receiving her bachelor's degree in Literature, she began work at a charter school as a Family Advocate, a role that allowed her to support the students in school and the families in their homes. Working with the high and complex needs of these inner-city families, inspired her to go back to school for her masters in education, special education and social work. Since completing her grad school work, she’s worked in various middle school settings tirelessly supporting the academic and social growth of her students. Niki is beyond excited to be a part of the team at the American Dream School!
Jorge Luis Garcia
High School Dean of School Culture
Dean Jorge Garcia holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology from Lehman College and a Master of Social Work degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Over the last eight years, he has dedicated his work to South Bronx youth. This has taught him about the limitations that exist within District 7 to address the needs of a predominantly Hispanic/Latino community that houses many foreign-born English language learners. This also includes the difficulties encountered by families in navigating an educational system that is not always culturally responsive.
In his experience with youth, he has found that it is incredibly important to the process of developing self-identity and positive relationships in one's life. His professional practice has been cultivated by his desire to create spaces where everyone feels welcomed and he works towards this goal by establishing relationships built on trust and generosity. Dean Jorge Garcia is pleased to enter his second year serving ADS students and families.
Noel Sanchez
High School Dean of School Culture
Dean Sanchez, holds a degree in Criminology from John Jay College. He joined our ADS community four years ago, and in that time he has established strong relationships with students and staff. At John Jay College, he developed his practice through baseball, first as a team player and later as an assistant coach. Through this work he was able to positively impact lives; his passion for helping others grew from this experience. As such, he has remained committed to supporting student athletes and continues to serve as the Head Coach of our Baseball program.
Dean Sanchez encourages our students to maintain their motivation to come to school daily and remain committed to their studies. This desire for our students’ well-being is informed by his own experiences as he always had positive male figures during his academic pursuits that kept him focused on the bigger picture. At ADS, he has found it is important to be a role model for our students and works tirelessly to help them accomplish their goals.
Kateri Baez
High School Operations Manager
Bio coming soon.