Leadership Team

A Brooklyn resident since 2005 and the son of Mexican immigrants, Mr. Gutiérrez is a writer, filmmaker, communications leader, and former executive for leading national charter school networks. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s University and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame for advancing values of justice and peace in American broadcasting.

“What really captivated me about LEEP was the capacity the school had,” Johana recalls. “I am a fighter, a fixer, and a visionary, striving toward such goals.” She also personally connected to LEEP’s dual language approach, recalling her own experience of coming to the United States from Puerto Rico at five years old, and remembering the importance of feeling included at school, not isolated by language.

Besides what the studies prove about dual language learning, Johana feels strongly that LEEP’s education model prepares young people for successes in the real world, especially in future employment, as it makes them critical thinkers and problem solvers. LEEP’s learning model also contributes to students’ social and emotional development. “When learning two languages, there needs to be deeper thinking to make those connections,” she explains. “One of the things that gives me joy is when I hear children asking about other cultures, learning about themselves and others.” And that environment extends to staff and teachers as well, aligning with DEIB goals. All of that contributes to LEEP’s definite “family” vibe, she believes.

“Here we don’t work in silos,” Johana explains. “We are big on a sense of belonging, and creating a space for teachers and staff to feel comfortable. Our culture here allows them to do that.” She continues: “Everybody has a story, and we’re allowed to tell our stories, growing together. The experience is authentic.”

Early on as principal, Johana faced challenges: first year of state exams, a need to improve student performance, and improvement in systems and procedures. Now, there is a clear vision, she says, one that she insists be measured and monitored for progress. “Data is key,” she notes. And she finds great joy when she sees growth, not only among the children but also with the teachers when they “trust the process and, together, achieve goals.”

Right now, LEEP is involved in a capital project, approved by its Board, to secure the former Chase bank space to enable both the red and blue campuses to be in one building. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025, and be finished by August 2025.

“I’m invested in this work, but we need to be in this together,” Johana says, adding that she leads not by fear, or with power over purpose, but from a position that leverages each other’s strengths. “I’m very passionate about leader development, giving and building capacity in others,” she concludes.

“As a parent, I saw the benefits of bilingual learning,” she says, drawing from her own experience in a trilingual household: English, Chinese, and Spanish. She believes that a bilingual education offers many advantages, including building problem-solving skills, life skills, “giving you different directions, paths, to get results.” Born in Panama, and growing up in Venezuela, Margarita sees her role as an advocate and ally to parents, always working to ensure a strong connection with the school for all families.  Looking for a different school for her son, Margarita found LEEP and fell in love with the vision, with its core values.  Both her children are now at the school.

“Just walking in the door,” she says, “it felt like home – felt like family.”  Born in Brooklyn, right there in Sunset Park, and raised in the Dominican Republic before moving back, Ajana feels being in a bilingual teaching environment helps her grow, learn and adapt as an educator.  “Every day you learn something new,” she reflects.

“It was what I was looking for,” she recalls. Now the Dean of Instruction for Kindergarten and First Grade, she feels “her kids” at LEEP have expanded – and she gratefully serves the families of those students as well. From the Dominican Republic, Ms. Batista came to the United States when she was five. “Here at LEEP we embrace all,” she says.

Why teach at LEEP? Ms. Batista reacts: “You will feel supported and grow – and you will see the impact of your work not only with your students, but also with their families. You will definitely experience that impact.”

“My mom told me from a very young age that you can achieve all you want,” he recalls. “That’s engrained in my brain,” he adds, getting him through college and law school, and now, through studies for an MBA.

While having day-to-day finance and budget responsibilities at LEEP, Luis also supports the school’s programs and family interactions.  And he helps manage external partners and consultants, as well as school compliance efforts.

 What are the benefits of dual language learning? “It starts with a sense of belonging,” Luis explains.  “We are all one community.”  He recalls being pulled out of his classroom when he was younger for separate learning, as Spanish was his first language.  As a result, he struggled to find identity in the school community. “Being together embraces diversity, and LEEP has a space for you,” Luis says. “Interacting with students and families reminds me why we’re here – to support each other.”

 “I think LEEP is a combination of things,” he explains, citing a “hard-working staff, teachers super committed to education, a community that embraces diversity.” “If you want a sense of family at work, then come to LEEP,” Luis concludes.

She’s served in multiple roles: school aide, administrative assistant, operations associate, senior operations associate, and now Operations Manager (Blue Campus).  Before LEEP, Victoria’s experience was in retail.  When the pandemic closed her store, she found herself at LEEP, and she says, “You feel like you belong here.  You feel welcome here.” Victoria, whose family is from Mexico, feels the parents and students have the same feeling.  “I’ve learned so much here,” Victoria notes. “We are a close community. We rely on each other.  There’s respect. You feel it.”