Meet Allyse & Dani

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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 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.

About Us

Allyse and Dani both grew up in Rockland County, NY. However, their paths did not cross until Allyse was working as a literacy coach at the Charter School Dani was teaching at. Dani was teaching first grade as a new teacher. Allyse was fortunate to meet Dani and coach her in her classroom, offering her tips on the curriculum as well as new teacher advice. They formed an instant bond and became friends.

A few years later, Dani decided she wanted to explore teaching in a new place and reached out to Allyse for guidance. They reconnected over coffee on the Upper West Side and remembered how special their relationship was. Allyse encouraged Dani to apply to PS 59, a school where Allyse taught in midtown Manhattan. It was a place where not only teachers educated students, but teachers were given multiple high-quality professional development opportunities to make their teaching practice some of the best in NYC.

After staying in touch via our mutual friend (another Dani!), Allyse and Dani reconnected again when they both became mothers and moved out of NYC to the suburbs of NJ. They connected over coffee (educators love their coffee!) in Ridgewood, where they dreamed up nj READy 2 PLAY. They both wanted to use their years of expertise to teach children who were about the ages of their own children. They had long conversations about how it was important for little ones to truly have a childhood and not rush their development. Their goal was to design a class that exposes children to important skills but in playful and engaging ways! They wanted it to be a place where caretakers find their village and support system. When they began to hunt for a space to make this dream come true, they were fortunate to meet Amanda at Bloom CC + CoWorking. Amanda, an educator herself with a shared vision, welcomed them into her community.

We feel truly privileged and excited to bring our classes to the Montclair community! We look forward to meeting you soon!