Our Leaders
Anthony Santiago,
Principal
“DreamYard is about coming together as a community while simultaneously being able to be your unique self. It is a place where creativity and expression collide with leadership and student voice, allowing us all to find our inner artist and scholar. We look forward to having you join our team. Welcome to DYP!”
Bio: Mr. Santiago has taken the helm as Principal of DreamYard Prep this year after being Assistant Principal since 2017, but he has been in the NYC public school system for far longer than that. A proud Puerto Rican born and raised in the Bronx, Mr. Santiago has made it his life's work to serve the community he grew up in, working as a special education teacher for nine years before becoming assistant principal and coaching football in the Bronx for 12 years. Although Mr. Santiago comes from an athletic background, his work at DreamYard has opened his eyes to the world of art and its value within the community, as well as the importance of creative expression.
Outside of work, Mr. Santiago still enjoys playing the occasional football game, riding his motorcycle, and traveling the world. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s of Education from CUNY's City College, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Mercy College.
“DreamYard is a place that empowers individuals to be themselves and helps to embrace the beauty of vulnerability. A community in which everyone is learning from each other and finding their voice through their journey. DreamYard is all about celebrating uniqueness and encouraging people to think outside the box!”
Maritza Vazquez, Assistant Principal
Bio: Ms. Vazquez was born in Ecuador and moved to New York City at the age of 10 years old. Her passion for working with students has been directly influenced by her own experiences adapting to a new culture and the challenges she endured trying to learn a new language.
Ms. Vazquez has had experience working as an English Language Arts teacher for a school serving a population of English Language Learners in the Bronx. She has also served as a mentor teacher to other educators and supported curriculum development. For the 2023-2024 school year, Ms. Vazquez is joining the DreamYard community as an Assistant Principal.
During her free time, Ms. Vazquez enjoys spending her time writing poetry, reading, and visiting different coffee shops. Ms. Vazquez appreciates the simple things in life and values the relationships she builds with students, families, educators, and community members.
Ms. Vazquez has a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Queens College, a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from New York University, a Bilingual Teaching Certificate from Lehman College, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Hunter College.
Ms. Melanie Vasquez, Assistant Principal
Ms. Melanie Vasquez, Founding Faculty School Counselor as our new Assistant Principal joining the admin team. Ms. Vasquez has served our community for 18 years and will now serve in this new leadership role to help support our students and enhance our programs throughout the school community.
Ms. Vasquez was born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She was the Project Coordinator for the Girls Incorporated Latina Initiative; and she has also worked at the Momentum AIDS Project as a Director of Operations and the Hispanic AIDS Forum Inc. providing services to the LGBTQ+ community & ensuring families receive services about HIV/AIDS. She is a Founding Sister of La Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. at New York University since Spring 1997.
Ms. Vasquez has a Bachelor’s degree in Metropolitan Studies & Sociology from New York University, a Master’s degree in Guidance & Counseling from the College of New Rochelle, and Advanced Certification Educational Leadership & Admin: School Building Leader from the College of Saint Rose.