.jpg)
Marianela Jimenez
Founder & CEO
My name is Marianela Jimenez, and I am the founder and CEO of Early Bird Educational Centers. Before establishing the centers, I spent over 35 years teaching with the New York City Department of Education. Working with children and watching their enthusiasm, eagerness and curiosity for learning inspired me to further my studies and expand horizons. This passion encouraged me to further my education and broaden my knowledge. Over the years, I earned three Master’s Degrees: in Bilingual Education from City College of New York, in School Psychology and Counseling from Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) in the Dominican Republic, and in School Administration from Long Island University (LIU).
In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to all types of music, and dancing. Above all, I treasure family gatherings with my son, daughter, and grandchildren. I especially love reading and writing with my son, who has special needs.
As a teacher, I always held a vision of sharing my experiences with others, which fueled my passion for 35 years: "To give back to my community what the community has given to me." I firmly believe that a happy child is a successful one, which is why I have dedicated my life to Early Childhood Education.
After retiring, I fulfilled my vision by founding Early Bird Educational Centers. Our mission is to help children thrive in a challenging world by fostering a love for learning while supporting their emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Currently, I serve on several Board of Advisor panels and act as a mentor to aspiring and current educators and administrators entering the field of Early Childhood Education.
Eyeri Gonzalez
Co-Owner & Executive Director
My name is Eyeri Gonzalez, and I am the Co-Owner and Executive Director of Early Bird Educational Centers. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in English, and I bring over 15 years of experience in business administration from the private financial sector.
​
Before transitioning into education, I spent more than seven years in a senior-level Human Resources Administrative and Management role at a prestigious multi-billion-dollar financial investment firm in New York City. Additionally, I have worked in various administrative capacities across other financial institutions.
​
I began my career in early childhood education in 2012, working with infants and toddlers at Early Bird Educational Center in Far Rockaway, Queens. Working closely with the Founder, CEO, & Certified Educational Director Marianela Jimenez, I helped ensure her vision was integrated into our daily operations. Through this collaboration, we successfully opened Early Bird II Educational Center in 2015 in Jamaica, Queens. From 2012 to 2019, I served as the Multi-Site Early Childhood Executive Director, focusing on expanding our schools, locations, and enhancing the way we serve our community.
​
By preserving our school culture and staying true to our original vision, we successfully opened Early Bird III Educational Center in January 2021, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education. This expansion enabled us to offer a free, full-day 3K program alongside our existing free full-day Pre-K program which the community we serve so desperately needed.
​
As the Multi-Site Executive Director, I take pride in being a leader and mentor to all staff. I work closely with my Assistant Director, Educational Directors, and teaching team to ensure our centers are dedicated to providing excellent childcare while fostering a strong sense of collaboration. Our passionate and exceptional team plays a vital role in bringing Ms. Jimenez's original vision to life. Additionally, I represent Early Bird Educational Centers in the community by actively participating in various committees.
Outside of my work with the school, I enjoy growing my daycare and Airbnb consulting business. I’m also a proud wife, and mother to two wonderful children—a daughter and a son, and a younger sister to a brother with special needs. In my free time, I love spending quality moments with my entire family and traveling.
Yogeeta Singh
Assistant Director
My name is Yogeeta Singh, also known as Ms. Singh, and I am the Executive Assistant Director and School Administrator at Early Bird Educational Centers. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Economics, with a minor in Psychology, from CUNY Queens College. Currently, I am working toward earning my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License and pursuing a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
​
Originally from Guyana, I migrated to Queens, New York with my family, where I currently reside. New York City quickly grew on me with its diversity and incredible variety of global cuisines. The city has opened many doors for me, and one of the greatest opportunities has been working at Early Bird Educational Centers, where I can give back to my community.
​
After engaging in mentorship conversations with Ms. Jimenez and Ms. Gonzalez, I was inspired to change direction in my career and return to school to pursue a Master’s in Early Childhood Education (Birth-2nd Grade) at Queens College. This will allow me to expand my knowledge and better support the staff, families, and students I interact with daily.
​
Outside of my studies, which keep me busy, I love birds, traveling and exploring new places. Both New York and the world offer endless inspiration and opportunities to discover something new, whether for fun or as a tourist.