About ADS
The Founder and the ADS Story
Melissa Meza Melkonian has long-held the vision to start a school for English language learners and immigrant students. Melissa’s parents came to the United States as undocumented immigrants from Mexico. They worked very hard for little pay, a situation familiar to many undocumented workers and their families.
Because Melissa's family only spoke Spanish, she struggled in elementary school as she sought to learn in a language she didn't initially speak. She did not have the support of a "transitional" or “dual language” program where she could still use her native language, the language she knew how to speak, read, and write. Only in fifth grade did she begin receiving English as a Second Language (ESL) services.
Despite these challenges, Melissa ultimately learned English, graduated from high school and then college, became a teacher and later a school leader, and started a family. Melissa has fulfilled the hopes of her parents, who came to the United States so that their children would be able to live the "American dream."
The idea for The American Dream School came from Melissa's personal experience coupled with research pertaining to student performance in the South Bronx, where many student from immigrant families are underserved in all educational settings. Melissa earned an Ed.M. in Educational Leadership at Columbia University's Teachers College. She completed the rigorous training of the Summer Principals Academy, which provided her with the tools she needed to make her vision a reality.
Many immigrant groups struggle to achieve academic success. They are not provided with the foundation to achieve the "American dream." Since 2014, The American Dream School has been helping students to succeed in two languages through a dual-language model and balanced educational practices.
Faculty Leadership
Melissa Melkonian
Head of School and Founder
Melissa Melkonian has been a New York CIty educator for nearly 20 years. She began her career as a bilingual special education teacher in Inwood with the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE), where she taught students in grades 5-8 in both English and Spanish. Melissa then joined a charter school in the Bronx where she continued to teach before becoming the middle school's assistant principal.
Melissa earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Policy from Trinity College, Master's in Bilingual and Special Education from Mercy College and Ed.M. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University..
Nicholas Gallagher
Chief of Staff
Nick Gallagher joined The American Dream School (ADS) in January of 2014. Nick spent the beginning of his career in the public library setting as a librarian. Prior to joining ADS, Nick’s work included research in the fields of education and public health.
Nick’s grandparents immigrated to the United States. Despite having minimal education, they ensured his mom attended college. Nick has dedicated his career to leveling the playing field for under-resourced populations through institutions that democratize access to education.
Nick earned a Bachelor's in Political Science from California State University, Los Angeles, a Master’s of Library and Information Science from UCLA and a Master’s of Public Health at Columbia University.
Glory Carrion-Gomes
High School Director
Prior to becoming high school director, Glory served in various roles at The American Dream School. At the High School, Glory served as the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction and, prior to that, as Mathematics Department Chair and Sixth Grade Mathematics teacher at the Middle School. Glory has been teaching at dual-language elementary and middle schools in the South Bronx and in Harlem for more than 15 years.
Glory’s family immigrated to New York City from the Dominican Republic when she was six-years-old. Her parents lacked knowledge of NYC's public school system, and so Glory learned to navigate her educational options on her own, inspiring her to become an educator.
Glory earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University at Albany, a Master’s in Education from Mercy College and a Master’s in Mathematics from the City College of New York and a Master’s in School Leadership at Hunter College.
Beatriz Bañuelos
Middle School Director
Beatriz began her teaching career in 2006 as a Teach for America corps member, teaching History in both English and Spanish to students in southern Texas. In 2009, she moved to New York City where she taught History to students in the Bronx for five years before leaving to teach court-involved youth. Beatriz joined The American Dream School in 2015. At ADS, Beatriz served as the Spanish department chair and later as the assistant principal before being named middle school director.
Beatriz is originally from Los Angeles and is the daughter of Mexican immigrants who worked tirelessly to provide their children with access to the American Dream. Her parents emphasized the importance of education and finding work that that was fulfilling.
Beatriz earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Science with an emphasis on Multi-Cultural Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine. She earned a Master's in Sociology from CUNY Brooklyn College and an Ed.M in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Evette Alba
High School Operations Manager
Evette is a former member of Public Prep Academies starting at the Girls Prep Lower East Side school and then became a founding member of the Girls Prep Bronx Elementary Operations team. There she spent 10 years total in operations; wholeheartedly working with students and families which has become her passion. Beginning as an after school group leader and gradually growing to School Aide, Administrative Associate, and finally Operations Associate; Evette has gotten to take part in the many facets of school operations.
Evette Alba is currently pursuing her BA at City College, Majoring in Sociology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies, and has her A.A in Childhood Education from Borough of Manhattan Community College. She was the first in her family to graduate High School and the first to receive any type of college degree. She strongly believes in breaking generational cycles and exceeding all expectations the world my have of a little Latinx girl from Spanish Harlem.
Evette is now a very proud member of the ADS family and is honored to have the opportunity to give back to the community she has grown to love so deeply.
Eddie Jimenez
Middle School Dean of Students
For nerarly 15 years, Eddie worked with the Children's Aid Society, supporting children in impoverished circumstances across New York City.
Eddie earned a Bachelor's dgree in Economics from Lehman College.
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Students