About Us...
Parents and Educators working together to give kids a better future!
Our Educators
Our educators do so much more than teach - they create, they nurture, they inspire. Each one comes with a unique skill set that brings so much value to our members. They cater to the individual academic, social, and emotional needs of each child. Their main focus is to ensure the children feel safe, loved and heard. Once the children feel empowered by those three main goals, a lifelong love of learning can begin.
Ms. Dana
Pre-K 3 & 4 year olds
Hi my name is Ms. Dana. I have been at CALM Academy for 2 yrs as the 1st grade assistant last yr. and this yr. as the PreK teacher. I am married 20yrs & a mom to 3 of my greatest blessings my wonderful children, Joey (19) Adriana (16) & Julianne (11). I am also a dog mom to one crazy 90lb pup, Max. I love watching my kids play baseball & softball on the weekends and love sitting in our yard around a fire with my family when we are all home together. Family is truly what life is all about! Working at CALM has been wonderful & so fulfilling. I am honored to be a child's first teacher, loving them, and helping them grow.
Ms. Tricia
Level K ("Kindergarten")
Hi my name is Tricia! I'm a proud wife and mother of two beautiful children—Teresa, 13, and Dylan, 9. We also have a lovable Labradoodle named Franky. I love kickboxing and walking for exercise, and I have a passion for all things fashion.
Ms. Shay
Levels 1 & 2 (1st & 2nd "grades")
My name is Carolyn Shay. I have been teaching for 20 years: 16 years in a traditional school setting and in my 4th year here at the The CALM Academy. I live in Staten Island, New York with my two cats Lilly and Molly. I am a die-hard Mets fan, an avid reader, and coffee lover. But my biggest passion is working with children to help them reach their full potential. Along with my teaching degree, I am also a certified life coach for kids.
Ms. Nicole
Levels 3 & 4 ("3rd & 4th grade")
Hi! I have a degree in psychology and am a certified K-5 teacher. I started teaching kindergarten before my eldest child was born and then took time off to raise my family. My husband and I have four children - Adriana (17), Avery (16), Luca (10) and Ellie (7). After some years being home with my children, I decided to enter back into education with private tutoring, and really fell in love with teaching again. Wanting to homeschool my own children, I discovered CALM, which was everything I hoped for and it just felt right for us. In 2023 I joined the CALM staff and became the 3rd grade educator. CALM has been a blessing to our family in so many ways and I'm thrilled to be truly educating students and doing what I love.
Ms. D
Level 5 ("5th grade")
Hey I'm Ms. D! I'm an experienced educator with five years of teaching in a homeschool setting. I hold a dual bachelor’s degree in Education and Psychology from Georgian Court University along with a Special Education endorsement. I am passionate about creating meaningful, individualized learning experiences that support the whole child. My journey with homeschooling began during 2020 when my husband and I made the decision to homeschool our own boys. We fell in love with the freedoms that come with homeschooling and never looked back. Outside the classroom, I am a proud mom of two boys and wife to an incredible husband. Together, we love spending time outdoors as a family, traveling, fishing and are always looking for our next adventure. I am a devoted New York Yankees fan, and also love watching my own boys play baseball. We love animals, especially our own pets—which include a cat, chickens, and fish.
Coming September 2026
Levels 6, 7 & 8 (Middle School)
Ms. Sonia
Educator's Assistant
Hi, my name is Ms. Sonia. I am a wife and a mom to Dylan (23), Rylee (20), and Brandon (18). Some of the things I love are spending time with my family, country music, the beach, and we are Disney obsessed. I have been lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom to raise my children all these years. For the past 3 years The CALM Academy has given me purpose by being around kids again and helping them grow and learn.
Ms. Michelle
Educator's Assistant
Hi there! My name is Michelle, and I am excited to be joining the Pre-K class at The CALM Academy for the 2025-2026 academic year. I’ve been married to my husband, John, for almost 20 years, and together we are blessed with two amazing sons, Dante (17) and Marco (13). We also have a crazy rescue pup named Luna who loves to bark at EVERYTHING!
When I’m not at the soccer field or basketball court cheering on my boys, I love spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy traveling - although not as often as I’d like. For many years, I’ve been fortunate to stay home and raise my children, staying involved in all of their school and sports activities. Now that they’re older, more independent, and responsible, I’m excited to return to work and do something I enjoy. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the The CALM family, and I look forward to getting to know you and your family and watching your children grow, learn and shine!
Ms. Alyssa
Educator's Assistant
Hi my name is Alyssa! I am the oldest of four kids, and I have one dog named Indiana Jones. I recently graduated from Monmouth University, and I am going back to school to get my Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology. I really enjoy reading and going on walks. I absolutely love working with kids and I’m so excited to be a part of the CALM family!
Ms. Kelsey
Ms. Kelsey
Ms. Teresa
I founded The CALM Academy in 2021, out of a lifelong love for working with children and a desire to create a place where learning feels uplifting, personal, and joyful.
I’m a mom of two young men—one getting ready to start college and the other currently in business school—and those experiences have shaped the way I support families on their own educational journeys. My husband and I also have two sweet female goldendoodles who bring love and laughter into our home.
At The CALM Academy, my mission is to offer a supportive, loving and nurturing environment where children can grow with confidence and curiosity. I’m grateful to walk alongside like-minded families as we help their children learn, flourish, and truly shine.
Ms. Sara
Hi my name is Sara and I love all things mindfulness, movement, healthy minds, and healthy hearts. My love language is being a part of a community that lifts you up and holds you when times are tough.