Our Team
-
Jessica Potenza
Founder & Creative Director
Sprouts Create (Story Time & Themed Crafts)
Sprouts Blooms (Floral Design)
Jessica Potenza is an accomplished equine artist whose creations have been exhibited and sold globally. Her works have been showcased on world tour with Cavalia, and in prestigious exhibitions in New York, Singapore, Shanghai, London, San Francisco, LA, at Miami Art Basel and in Rome at the Vatican, leaving an indelible mark on the art scene. Jessica leads the Create program for Sprouts.
Adding floral designer to her resumé in 2023, Jessica came up through the acclaimed NYBG Floral Design program, and now brings her expertise to life as she guides both children and adults in captivating floral design classes and workshops.
-
Armelle Gloaguen
Learn French Through Music
Rock Your World Kids (Music)
Sprouts is proud to feature the work of the award-winning artist and educator Armelle Gloaguen, who brings a wealth of experience and creativity to our community. Armelle is the visionary behind the immensely popular Learn French/Spanish Through Music programs, which over the past 20 years have revolutionized language education in educational institutions across Westchester and beyond.
With a background in music and education, Armelle is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and guitarist, as well as an experienced teacher, who has worked with children in the U.S., France, and Guatemala, sharing her passion for music and language learning.
We invite you to visit Armelle's website to learn more about her program and her accomplishments. Her dedication to helping children learn through music has earned her recognition and praise from educators and parents alike.
In addition to her program, Armelle also shares her expertise and creativity on her YouTube channel, where parents and children can find fun and educational content to enjoy at home. We encourage you to check out her channel for some inspiration and to continue your child's learning journey.
-
Coach Maggie
Maggie takes the lead as the coach for Sprouts Play and brings with her a wealth of experience in guiding children in sports. Currently serving as a 5th Grade Special Education Teacher at Irvington School District, Maggie also has a background in playing Division 3 soccer at Juniata College. Her passion for sports shines through as she enjoys watching major games and tournaments on TV. Fun fact: Maggie ran the New York City Marathon twice and aspires to run more in the future!
-
Coach Ricky
Soccer Skills Development with Coach Ricky (Ages 3 through college)
Ricardo Contreras, better known as Coach Ricky, is going on 15 years of coaching with Espy Soccer, a recreational program affiliated with EYSL. He is adored in our community by parents and children alike. With extensive experience working with the youngest of athletes, he excels in making soccer fun and instilling a passion for the sport. We feel so fortunate to have Coach Ricky on our team.
Reserve private and group classes with Coach Ricky by visiting this link. -
Erica Iannuzzi
Sprouts Explore (Nature & Gardening)
Sprouts Cooking
Sprouts Re-Create (Crafting From Re-Purposed Materials)
Sprouts Wonder (Sensory)
Tunes & Tales
Meet Erica, a passionate nature aficionado and nurturing guide at Sprouts. Her leap from the corporate world into the journey of motherhood with two children rekindled her love for nature, from foraging to gardening. She's dedicated to sparking imaginations, sharing outdoor wonders, and fostering a lifelong love for nature. With a bachelor's degree in studio arts and a craft enthusiast background, Erica leads tiny explorers to cherish and protect our precious planet, one adventure at a time.
-
Rachel Lynch
Community Coordinator
Rachel, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in Early Childhood Development and Writing, brings both her experience workiag with children as well as her expertise in curriculum development. One of the collaborators for the design of our sensory program, Wonder, Rachel curates hands-on, entertaining and educational programming. With a passion for storytelling, learning, and exploring the world, Rachel nurtures curiosity and growth through engaging sensory experiences.
-
"Robert The Guitar Guy" Markowitz
Meet Robert the Guitar Guy, our dynamic musical maestro and puppeteer extraordinaire at Sprouts! With a guitar in hand and a colorful cast of puppets by his side, Robert transforms our music classes for infants, toddlers, and young children into vibrant, interactive performances that spark joy and inspire creativity, fostering a love for music from the very start.
Interested in joining our team?
At Sprouts, we are committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow and explore their creativity. As leaders in early childhood education and development, we are constantly seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team and help us achieve our mission.
If you are interested in leading one of our programs for preschool-aged children, we invite you to fill out our job inquiry form.