Tiny Scholars Academy
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
To inspire lifelong learning from the crib to kindergarten.
Respect for childhood and natural development, Family partnership and community building- Culturally responsive, inclusive practices- Safety, consistency, and joy in everyday learning
To nurture confident, curious learners through play-based, responsive care.
At Tiny Scholars Academy, we nurture young minds from 6 weeks to 5 years with a warm, play-based, and Waldorf-inspired approach to early childhood education.
We believe children thrive when surrounded by rhythm, creativity, and love. Our classrooms are filled with storytelling, nature exploration, art, music, and purposeful play that supports development of the whole child—socially, emotionally, and intellectually.
Bilingual learning to support both English and Spanish-speaking families
A safe, inclusive space for children of all abilities and cultures
A strong commitment to high-quality care through DHS licensing, BrightStars, and dedicated staff
A strong home-school connection with open communication and family participation
At Tiny Scholars Academy, we’re a community that believes in protecting childhood, honoring diversity, and planting the seeds for a lifelong love of learning.
I’m Gianel Santana Buck, the founder of Tiny Scholars Academy — and an educator at heart. Working with young children has always been my passion, and I’m so excited to bring my experience and heart into this next chapter.
I hold an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies (Early Childhood focus), and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of early learning environments, from childcare centers to Early Head Start and Head Start programs. Most recently, I spent 9 wonderful years as a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher, building strong foundations for learning through play, structure, and connection.
With every step of my journey, one thing has stayed the same: my deep belief in the importance of the early years, and the power of strong partnerships between educators and families.
Tiny Scholars Academy is the next step in that journey. A place where I can bring together everything I’ve learned, while co-creating something special with the families who trust us with their children. I can’t wait to grow this beautiful community with you.
Hola,
Soy Gianel Santana Buck, fundadora de Tiny Scholars Academy — y, ante todo, una educadora de corazón. Trabajar con niños pequeños siempre ha sido mi pasión, y estoy muy emocionada de comenzar este nuevo capítulo, trayendo conmigo toda mi experiencia y dedicación.
Cuento con un título asociado en Educación Infantil Temprana, una licenciatura en Desarrollo Humano y Estudios de la Familia (con enfoque en la primera infancia), y una maestría en Educación Primaria. A lo largo de los años, he tenido el privilegio de trabajar en diversos entornos educativos, desde centros de cuidado infantil hasta programas como Early Head Start y Head Start. Más recientemente, pasé 9 años maravillosos como maestra de Kindergarten y Primer Grado, construyendo bases sólidas para el aprendizaje a través del juego, la estructura y la conexión.
En cada etapa de mi camino, una cosa siempre ha sido constante: mi profundo compromiso con la importancia de los primeros años y el valor de una colaboración sólida entre educadores y familias.
Tiny Scholars Academy es el siguiente paso en ese camino — un lugar donde puedo reunir todo lo que he aprendido, mientras creamos algo especial junto a las familias que confían en nosotros para cuidar y guiar a sus hijos. Estoy muy emocionada de crecer y construir esta hermosa comunidad contigo.
“As a parent, there is no greater relief than watching your child step into a learning environment where they feel seen, nurtured, and understood. My daughter’s first educational experience was challengin. She was shy, reserved, and had difficulty connecting because her previous teacher did not know how to truly support her personality. Every day felt like a struggle.
All of that changed the moment she entered Ms. Gianel Santana’s classroom.
Ms. Santana has a gift. From day one, she created a warm, inviting, and safe space where my daughter could bloom at her own pace. Under her care, my child not only grew, she transformed. She began to love school. She opened up socially, made friends, gained confidence, and found joy in learning. Watching her walk into class excited and come home beaming with stories is something I will always cherish.
Ms. Santana is more than an early childhood teacher. She is a true caregiver, a nurturer, and an educator who sees each child for who they are and helps them flourish in ways that feel natural and empowering. My daughter still calls her “my favorite teacher,” and honestly, it’s no surprise. Her patience, kindness, and dedication are unmatched.
I will forever be grateful for the impact Ms. Santana has had on my daughter’s life. She didn’t just teach her, she believed in her, and that made all the difference. Any family would be incredibly fortunate to have their child in her classroom.”
Islindy Merius
“Our family has had the privilege of having Ms. Gianel as our child’s teacher for several years, and the impact she’s made is truly remarkable. She brings such genuine care, patience, and passion to her classroom every single day. Watching our child grow in confidence, curiosity, and kindness under her guidance has been an incredible experience. Ms.Gianel has a gift for seeing each child’s potential and helping them shine we couldn’t have asked for a better teacher.”
Miosotis Peralta
“From the very first day, I could see how much love and dedication Ms. Gianel puts into her work. She truly understands each child’s unique needs and celebrates their growth every step of the way. Her passion for child development shines through in everything she does my child has not only learned so much but has also felt deeply cared for and supported. I’m so grateful to have found such a nurturing and inspiring teacher.”
Amanda Gotay
Click the button to fill out the interest form and one of our team mebers will reach out to you!