Our Team
LEEP Dual Language Academy works because of our people: parents, students, and a caring, professional staff with a passion for high-quality
education in two languages. Our team hails from the United States (including Puerto Rico), Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic,
Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Spain, and Venezuela.
Johana Andujar
Principal
Johana Andujar joined LEEP Academy with seven years of leadership experience as a Principal in the Ascend charter school network, where she
transformed the flagship elementary school’s culture while strengthening academic results. A Responsive Classroom expert and skilled
mentor teacher, she has also served in a leadership role at the Children’s Literacy Initiative in Newark, New Jersey. Ms. Andujar is a
graduate of Lehman College with a Master’s degree in Education from Hunter College.
Tenille Faria
Senior Director of Operations
Tenille Faria joined LEEP Academy with five years of educational operations experience at Ascend Public Charter Schools, and six
years of facilities and HVAC management experience. A tenacious, creative and gracious leader, Tenille has worked to improve
and systemize operations at LEEP by managing the Operations team, Maintenance team, Transportation, and overseeing the School Foods and
Afterschool programs. Tenille is a graduate of Binghamton University with a double major in Political Science and
Anthropology, and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at New York University in Mental Health, Counseling & Wellness to support
childhood development.
Margarita Cheng
Director of Family Experience
Margarita Cheng helps ensure a strong connection for all families at LEEP Academy and is a founding LEEP Academy parent herself! She
was born in Panama, grew up in Venezuela, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Baruch College, CUNY. Ms. Cheng has experience in
television and marketing and previously worked as a parent liaison at a public high school in Manhattan.
Jhonatan Aybar
Operations Manager
Mr. Aybar is an enthusiastic and hardworking professional with an extensive background in Institutional Compliance, Operations, and Project
Management. Mr. Aybar has a Business Management degree, and a B.S in Industrial Engineering. He is pursuing a Master in Science degree
in Operations & Project Management at Southern New Hampshire University and expects to graduate this spring. Mr. Aybar has been working
in the Education sector for the past 13 years — he previously worked as a Director of Operations at a two-year degree granting college and
Middle School in Brooklyn.
Luis Ventura
Business Administrator
Luis Ventura serves as the Business Administrator for LEEP where he manages the school's day-to-day finances and compliance
requirements. Before joining LEEP, Luis served as a Director of Operations for Achievement First Charter Schools and Franklin
Academy where he gained almost 7 years of charter school operations experience. He started his professional career as a litigation associate
attorney in Florida advocating for plaintiffs in automobile insurance cases. Luis holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology from
the University of Florida and a J.D. Degree from Florida A&M University College of Law.
Maria Townsend
Dean of Special Projects
Bio coming soon.
Josenny Batista
Dean of Instruction (K-1)
Ms. Batista is the Instructional Dean for Kinder and First Grade. She was born in the Dominican Republic. She has worked for the
Department of Education for 10 years and has been at LEEP Academy since 2022. Ms. Batista has college degrees in Psychology, General
Education and Bilingual Education and received her Masters from Hunter College. Her passion is seeing the lasting impact education
can have on students.
Reba Feliciano
Dean of Instruction (2-3)
Bio coming soon.
Nicaury Vargas
Dean of Instruction (4-5)
Bio coming soon.
Yaritza Mendez
SPED Coordinator
Bio coming soon.
Ajana Suriel
Dean of Students
Bio coming soon.
