Jorinda Moorhead - Executive Director

Jorinda grew up between NY and Boston until returning permanently to NYC to attend NYU, where she completed a degree in psychology. While raising two boys she attended Teachers College two times to obtaining MA degrees in developmental Psychology and Special education. She has a dual certification NYS teacher in early childhood and special education.

Jorinda began working with children in daycare centers when she was 18. After college, Jorinda began working as a Special Education teacher in Brooklyn.  Her work experience with children includes working with children with special needs in therapeutic nurseries and includes conducting educational evaluations.  She was a literacy specialist with K-5 kids in the Department of Education for two years before coming here. Jorinda has also been involved in community organizing roles.  In those positions, she reached out to marginalized groups of women and their children.  In that capacity she has also operated large grants from the federal government.

Jorinda has been part of the MMS community since 1997.  Initially, she was a a parent and board member. After a few years, she returned as a parent for the second time and also began teaching here.  This year marks the end of her seventh year teaching at MMS.  Two years ago she began wearing two hats and was also our Program Director.  This spring, she became the Executive Director.

Jorinda and her husband, Bobby, have two boys, Jarobi and Mekhi, both of whom are Morningside alumni. She enjoys yoga, horseback riding and learning languages.

Debbie Gonzalez - Assistant Director

Debbie has been the Assistant Director since 1989 and was an MMS teacher for a number of years prior to assuming her present position. Her common sense and ability to get things done keeps the Office moving along smoothly.

Debbie and her husband, Sal, have two sons, Carlos and Raymond.  Both boys-now men- are MMS graduates.

Astry Wells - Admissions Director

Astry was born in the Dominican Republic and is fluent in Spanish.  When she was nine years old, she moved with her immediate family to the Upper West Side of Manhattan, leaving most of her extended family behind in the Dominican Republic.

MMS first met Astry in 1994 when she came to work as an Assistant teacher in the West Classroom.  Her warmth with children and families was immediately noteworthy. 

After seven years at Morningside, Astry left for 3 years to spread her wings in other directions, first as a teacher at another nursery school and then as an Administrative Assistant for a firm in the garment district. When Astry learned that MMS had an opening for a summer camp counselor, she was eager to return and MMS was eager to hire her back.

When summer ended, MMS was reluctant to lose Astry again and  offered her a full-time Administrative Assistant’s position in the office and the Co-Coordinator position for Camp Morningside during the summer.  When the 2008-2009 school year began, Astry’s administrative duties were expanded to include the responsibilities of Admissions Director.

Astry is married to Jimmy DeJesus.