A garden where language, culture & belonging grow together

Ms. Jimena is at the heart of our Spanish program. As Program Oversight Manager and Lead Spanish Teacher, she helps ensure that every class reflects The Bilingual Garden NY's commitment to meaningful language immersion, thoughtful instruction, and joyful learning.

With her warm, engaging presence, Ms. Jimena creates an environment where children feel comfortable taking risks, expressing themselves, and building confidence in Spanish.

Through music, movement, storytelling, sensory exploration, and play, she makes Spanish feel natural, exciting, and accessible to children at every level of proficiency.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Jimena supports program quality, curriculum implementation, and instructor guidance, helping maintain a consistent and enriching experience across our Spanish programs.

Her dedication, leadership, and genuine connection with children and families make her an invaluable part of The Bilingual Garden NY.

Ms. Zaira brings a deep personal connection to Italy and a lifelong love of the Italian language and culture to The Bilingual Garden NY.

Born and raised in Agrigento, Sicily, Ms. Zaira moved to the United States 14 years ago. Italian language and culture remain a meaningful part of who she is, and she is passionate about sharing that connection with children through learning, play, and meaningful experiences.

Ms. Zaira holds a Master's Degree in Special Education and is a certified Italian teacher. She also brings experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is Autism Coaching certified, giving her a thoughtful and individualized perspective on supporting children and families.

Through her Italian programs, Ms. Zaira combines language learning with music, movement, play, and cultural exploration. Children don't simply learn Italian vocabulary — they experience the language through traditions, food, family, stories, and the beauty of Italian culture.

As Director of Italian Programs, she helps guide Italian programming while ensuring that children and families have opportunities to build a meaningful and lasting connection to the language and culture.