Empowering Our Community Through Education

Luis Camilo has served 8 years of experience in CEC 6, and four years on the D6 Presidents' Council, three as President. Luis focuses on community engagement and helping to craft educational policy at the district level. Luis is a proponent of STEM Education, and has invited the director of Columbia University STEM Program, the director of Fordham University STEP Program, and AMNH Director of Education and others to present at several CEC 6 calendar meetings. Most recently he helped organize a Spring Parent Academy with workshops for parents.

Caroline Jose is a native of Washington Heights and a proud graduate of D6 schools. She is a dedicated parent of two children currently attending PS 4 Duke Ellington School and The Mott Hall School. Since 2022, Caroline has served as a parent leader in multiple capacities — as a four-term PTA President at P.S. 4, a three-term President of the District 6 Presidents’ Council, and now a two-term Vice President of CEC 6.

Professionally, Caroline is a Technical Designer in the fashion industry for over 15 years and an life-long active community advocate committed to strengthening family engagement and advancing equitable access to high-quality education. Her focus areas include literacy, inclusion, and fostering meaningful partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations.

Deeply rooted in the Washington Heights community, Caroline is passionate about celebrating culture and creating spaces where families feel empowered to lead and collaborate. Outside of advocacy, she enjoys creative design projects, organizing community events, and exploring local art and bookstores with her children.

Rosanna Diaz is a lifelong Washington Heights resident and proud graduate of Community School District 6 schools. She is the parent of a student at a District 6 school, where she actively serves on the PTA and School Leadership Team (SLT). As CEC 6 Treasurer, Rosanna is committed to transparency, strong family engagement, and advocating for resources that support student success. She works to empower families and strengthen the educational community of Washington Heights.

Rosanna completed the training as a NYC Reads Ambassador, as well as NYCPS Family Connector. This is her 5th year serving on CEC 6.

Nicole L. Lorenzetti, Ph.D. is a mother of two District 6 students at Castle Bridge Elementary where she serves as the Chairperson of the School Leadership Team, and she is a proud product of public schools herself, including The City University of New York. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology in the School of Education at The City College of New York and does community organizing though various formal and informal organizations. Nicole's passion is education justice for all New York City Public School students, with a focus on antiracism, disability justice, and special education by seeking equitable access to accommodations and supports for all students — and families, too! In her free time, she loves to read and craft, and she cooks a fantastic spaghetti marinara. 

Noemí Díaz serves as the Manhattan Borough President’s appointee and Chair of the Community Engagement Committee for the Community Education Council (CEC). Born and raised in Washington Heights and a proud former District 6 student, she has been a dedicated parent leader since 2023, continuing a lifelong commitment to serving her community. 

With over 18 years of experience in education, Noemí holds a Master’s degree in TESOL and a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education. She is a former DOE educator, seasoned youth advocate, and founder of initiatives centered on civic engagement, family engagement, and student empowerment. Through her work, she connects families with the information, resources, and networks needed to support student success. She also created a dedicated Instagram page to help parents stay informed, reflecting her belief that communication and access are key to educational equity. In 2025, she was honored by the New York State Assembly and New York City Council.

Daphna Ezrachi is the Manager of Sustainability Programs at NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development where she focuses on climate local laws and solar programs. Upon joining HPD, Daphna completed her Masters in Urban Planning from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service. Before pivoting to urban planning and housing policy, Daphna was an educator in Jerusalem, where she grew up. She received a BA from Hebrew University in European History. In her spare time, she volunteers as a CEC District 6 member, at her synagogue, the Fort Tryon Jewish Center, and for climate change activism. She lives in Washington Heights with her husband and their three children.

Danushi Fernando brings a unique blend of professional expertise and powerful lived experience to her role. As an Inwood mom, she is personally invested in the success of District 6 schools. Professionally, she is a higher education leader,currently a Dean at Columbia Engineering—and a licensed mental health clinician. Danushi’s career in higher education leadership and mental health work has equipped her with crucial skills in navigating complex bureaucratic systems, managing policy and equity challenges. She is a skilled bridge builder who believes in leading with consistency, and compassion.  As a CCEC member, Danushi advocates for a curriculum that not only delivers strong academics but is deeply grounded in empathy and community building. Her vision is shaped by her experience as a new American citizen and a survivor of conflict in Sri Lanka, which taught her the profound importance of mutual respect in a polarized world. 

Lenise Dazzel-Harris is a mother, educator, and advocate for inclusive, culturally relevant education. As CEO of We Create Shop, she designs innovative programs that strengthen schools through leadership coaching, teacher development, and student self-discovery. With experience as a Strategist, Entrepreneur, and Holistic Coach— and as a parent of a twice-exceptional child—Lenise brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her role. Guided by her ABC Principles for School and District Success, she is committed to fostering collaboration, improving communication, and creating positive learning environments where every child can thrive

Rafael Landeiro has lived in District 6 since 2012 and has supported his local public schools through participation in PS 153's Parent Association and SLT teams. In 2024 Rafael was appointed to the CEC6 b the Manhattan Borough President, and was elected to the Council in 2025.

In addition to his volunteer work with schools, Rafael was also a founding board member of the Queensborough Dance Festival, and am currently also on the board of an affordable housing non-profit in East Harlem. Rafael's work is primarily in paid search advertising, working with Dentsu and Brainlabs media agencies. He's also worked with artists in theater production, technical design, and other live art installations.

Tamara Naparstek is the mother of three District 6 students. Professionally, Tamara started her career in education in the NYCPS as an ENL teacher and now currently works as a Bilingual Speech and Language Pathologist, with a strong passion for appropriately identifying and providing supports to multi-language learners with disabilities.

As a parent, Tamara has served and is currently serving as a parent leader on the CEC and SLT. As a lifelong educator, her interests include fighting for high-quality and evidence-based curriculum and rigorous expectations and equal opportunities for all students. In her spare time, you'll find Tamara propagating her plants, strength training at the gym, or hiking.