Educators. Guides. Nurturers.

Our Team

Every member of our team is more than a teacher. We are facilitators of learning who also act as advisors, guides, and friends. As members of the academic community who value excellence in all avenues—

We are passionately committed to cultivating your child’s unique strengths as they embark on the path of lifelong learning.

Drawing from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our faculty members utilize differentiated, dynamic instruction and construct creative child-centered curriculum. Working in teams, we empower students to be the best versions of themselves while developing into reflective, responsible citizens of the global community.

Meet Our Team

Leadership Team
Programs Team
Consultants

Leadership Team

Jessica Pinto

Founder & Head of School

Jessica Pinto, founder of La Piazza Academy, is a visionary whose path blends the precision of business with the heart of education. A University of Miami graduate with a background in Accounting and an MBA, Jessica first led in the corporate world before following a deeper calling that led to LPA.

As a mother, she saw a need for a space where children could grow not just academically, but emotionally and creatively. With a certification in education from Harvard and a Florida Director’s Credential, Jessica brought her vision to life in 2011 with the founding of La Piazza Academy.
Rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, La Piazza is a place where learning feels like home. Here, wonder leads the way, and children are empowered to think deeply, explore freely, and grow with joy.

In 2017, Jessica expanded her mission by founding the La Piazza Foundation, ensuring that children from all backgrounds have access to the kind of nurturing, inspiring education that can shape a brighter tomorrow.

Melissa Diaz

Assistant Head of School

A proud Miami native, Melissa’s roots run deep in the city’s diverse cultural soil. She studied psychology, sociology, anthropology, and business administration at Florida International University, weaving together an understanding of how people grow, connect, and thrive.

Holding a Florida Director’s Credential, Melissa joined La Piazza in 2014, bringing with her a deep belief in the beauty of childhood, the power of relationships, and the strength of systems that serve both. Over the years, she has become a trusted guide, steady, empathetic, and ever-present, holding space for families, children, and educators alike.

Dotty Vasquez

Director of Preschool Program

Dotty Vasquez has been a luminous thread in the fabric of La Piazza Academy since 2014, bringing with her a lifetime of devotion to children, creativity, and the quiet magic of learning. With over three decades of experience as an educator—guiding hearts and minds from preschool through college—Dotty’s presence is both steady and deeply inspiring.

A graduate in journalism, she learned early how language can illuminate, connect, and awaken the imagination. That same gift lives on in her work as a published poet and her enduring presence in the local arts community, where she is celebrated not only for her creativity but for her unwavering belief in its importance in education.

At La Piazza, Dotty leads our preschool program with grace and wisdom, curating an environment where the smallest voices are heard, where wonder is the curriculum, and where learning takes root in play, nature, and expression.

Jenny Auad

Director of Elementary Program

Jenny joined La Piazza Academy in its very first year, back in 2011, drawn by a deep and lifelong calling to continue her journey as an educator. With over three decades of experience across a rich tapestry of learning environments—public schools, charter schools, Head Start programs, and private institutions—she brought with her not only wisdom, but a heart rooted in compassion and purpose.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a teaching certificate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but her greatest credentials lie in the countless lives she’s touched, and the quiet confidence with which she guides both children and adults toward their fullest potential.

She is a gentle pillar in our community, holding up those around her with calm strength and quiet encouragement. Her presence reminds us that a nurturing environment is built not just with intention, but with love—and that every child thrives best when they feel heard, valued, and empowered.