Meet the Team
Allyse
Allyse began her career in the South Bronx as a first-grade teacher shortly after graduating from Teachers College, Columbia University. She then taught at PS 59 in Manhattan and kindergarten in Larchmont, NY. Allyse dedicated a decade of her career as an education consultant, supporting early childhood classrooms nationwide. She coached teachers, worked alongside administrators, and educated parents on research-based literacy curriculum. She has had the privilege of leading large-scale workshops on literacy education, presenting at the NCTE, and becoming a published author of phonics curriculum. Currently, she consults across the tri-state area and for The Educators Link, creating online courses for teachers. Allyse now lives in Ridgewood, NJ, where she is raising her three daughters with her supportive husband, Ray, and beloved French bulldog, Eli. She learns from them each day as they challenge her in the best of ways! Her passion for literacy and play has only grown exponentially since having her own children. She started NJ Ready 2 Play with Dani in hopes of spreading the joy of literacy to all children, especially across New Jersey!
Dani
Dani started her teaching career after graduating from the University of Michigan School of Education. She taught English for one year in Israel, where she really stepped outside her comfort zone only partially knowing the native language of her students! This really taught her to think outside the box in terms of communicating with her students in different ways. After Israel, Dani taught first and second grade at a charter school in West Harlem for four years (where she met Allyse as a coach!). Dani then moved to PS 59 in the NYC DOE where she taught third and fourth grade ICT for 6 years, supporting neurodivergent students and creating access to the general education curriculum. At PS 59, Dani mentored new teachers and served on the school’s equity team. Dani now lives in Montclair with her husband, Mike, her son Brooks and daughter Charley. Dani is excited to bring her love of children and education to her new community, Montclair.
Courtney
Pre K Prep Assistant
Courtney has over 20 years of experience working with young children in preschool and daycare settings. She is CDA certified and holds an associates degree in Child Development. She is a proud mom of two daughters and brings that same nurturing and patient spirit into the classroom each day.
She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and organizing. She is excited to bring her love, warmth, and passion for early childhood learning to NJ Ready 2 Play as a teachers assistant!
Romina
Spanish Lead Teacher
Romina Borsani-Herrera is the Founder and Lead Educator of Leap-ei Learning Program. A Seton Hall University graduate in Elementary and Special Education with a minor in Psychology, she began her career as a bilingual early-intervention evaluator and developmental therapist. Her work with diverse families across Essex County and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital strengthened her belief that every family shares a profound love for their children. Inspired by this, Romina founded Leap-ei to connect families with meaningful support, resources, and compassionate learning experiences.
We are so excited for her to bring her expertise and joy to StoryPlay Spanish with us!
Allyse & Dani Together
Founders of NJ Ready 2 Play
We are the founders of NJ READY 2 PLAY, and you’ll find us exactly where we love to be—on the floor with the children, teaching, playing, singing, and yes… sweeping up the spilled rice. We believe learning happens best when we’re fully present, side by side with caregivers and their little ones, sharing in the joy and wonder of early childhood.
Every time you walk into our classrooms, we want you to feel the heart and intentionality we pour into this space. Our environments are intimate, thoughtfully curated, and filled with purposeful materials. Every object we set out has meaning. Every book we read is chosen with care. Every moment is designed to support connection, curiosity, and growth.
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We treat each child as if they were part of our own family, and we cherish the relationships we build with every caregiver who trusts us with their little learner.
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This love, this intention, and this deep commitment to your child— that’s why families choose NJ READY 2 PLAY.
