About Us

Maria E. De Mora, M.Soc

Director/Owner

Infant & Toddler Development Therapist

Maria has over 20 years of experience as an Infant Developmental Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in Early Childhood Education and Child Development.  She believes that children are the most important resource for our future and thus, time spent helping them grow is never time wasted.   Over the years, many families have expressed their joy at how attentive, kind and professional Maria has been while coaching them or their children.   Maria has her degree of Psychology and Sociology focused in Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Havana, Cuba and has specialized over the years in developing goals and learning tasks specific to the unique set of delays of each child and the needs of the families.  Maria finds great joy in witnessing the children and families overcome challenges and develop their skills, giving them the confidence and fortitude to take on bigger challenges towards bettering the quality of life and self reliance. 

When not working, Maria enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and whenever the weather allows it, some time in the beach. 

Myriam J. Ospina, M.Psy, M.Sc

Infant & Toddler Development Therapist

Myriam brings 10 years of experience working in the Early Steps program.  Myriam has a passion for working with children and helping them grow.  She has a daughter with Down Syndrome whom is her main motivator to continue learning new methods and techniques so that she may teach her daughter and all other children she works with as a Developmental Therapist.  Myriam has a Psychology Degree from the University of Santo Tomas, Colombia and is currently working on her masters in Psychological Intervention for Behavior from the University of Central Florida.   She speaks English and Spanish and when she is not at work, she loves spending time with her family.

Lisandra Mora Castillo

Infant & Toddler Development Therapist

A graduate of the Pedagogy University Hector Zaldivar in Cuba, and with over 9 years of experience working with children from 0-3 years Lisandra is a valuable addition to our team. Originally from Cuba she loves working with children and believes that the love and care you show a child early on, will have an effect in how they treat people for the rest of their lives.  She finds gratifying knowing when she has been able to reach the young seeds and helps them find their way towards a future of independence.  She also likes to get to know each child so as to better shape the tools and lessons that will mold them. Lisandra recently has welcomed two beautiful children and when she is not spending time with them, she enjoys watching action and drama film as well as listening to Latin music.

Ana L. Perez, B.Sc

Infant & Toddler Development Therapist

Ana finds tremendous delight from being able to help our young seedlings and their parents overcome their specific needs and enjoys the challenges that come with it.  Such as being able to manage the wide variety of children and their capabilities, adjusting and being flexible with her teaching style to cater to the child’s specific needs.  Graduated with a Bachelor in Science of education with a Special Education Major from the Superior Institute of Pedagogy in Holguin, Cuba and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Education.  Ana is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working with special education children.  She has over 10 years of experience working as a special education teacher and speech therapist in Cuba.  While in Pennsylvania she worked as a Mental Health and Special Needs Coordinator, identifying young children at risk of social or emotional difficulties to provide further assessment and classroom intervention. When having some free time, Ana loves to travel, meeting new people and finding amazing places to understand different cultures and visit stunning sights.

Yasmani Canell, M.Psy, M.A.

Clinical Psychologist

Infant & Toddler Development Therapist

Yasmani Canell graduated as a Clinical Psychologist from the University of Camagüey, Cuba, in 2013. With over 11 years of experience, he specializes in developing interventions for the clinical-educational needs of children with special needs and their families. His work focuses on improving the biopsychosocial environment, and he approaches his job with professionalism and empathy, always striving to build strong relationships with his patients and address their needs effectively.
Throughout his career, Yasmani has had the opportunity to practice in various countries, including a year as a Disabilities Rater in Quito, Ecuador. He is committed to punctuality and excellence in his work.
Working with children who require special attention is Yasmani’s passion. It is incredibly gratifying for him to witness their daily progress and to see families learn and apply the techniques and resources provided to enhance the child’s quality of life, making them more functional and independent in their daily activities.
In his free time, Yasmani enjoys going to the beach, walking while listening to music, and spending quality time with his family.

Laritza Aguilar, B.Sc

Infant & Toddler Development Specialist

With a Licentiate in Education from the Higher Pedagogic Institute Ruben Martinez Villena in Cuba and a Teacher Certification from Management Resources College in Miami, Florida, Laritza Aguilar brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to her role as an educator. Her professional journey includes working with children aged 0-5, crafting lesson plans that nurture learning and development while providing individual attention and fostering strong communication with parents.
Laritza is particularly dedicated to supporting children with special needs. She approaches this rewarding challenge with a focus on understanding each child’s unique abilities, emphasizing growth and development rather than deficits. Her interactive methods foster a positive learning environment tailored to individual needs, and she is deeply committed to helping both children and their families thrive.
Outside the classroom, Laritza finds joy in connecting with nature. Whether it's exploring rivers, relaxing by the beach, or soaking in the serenity of the countryside, she values the rejuvenating power of the great outdoors.

Idania Bell, B.SNEd

Infant & Toddler Development Specialist

Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Idania Bell is a dedicated educator and Speech-Language Pathologist with a Licentiate in Special Education from the University of Pedagogy Sciences Raul Gomez Garcia, Cuba. Her career has been defined by her passion for empowering children with disabilities and helping them reach their full potential. As Principal at the Special Language School in Guantanamo, Cuba, she has led with vision and compassion.

Idania’s work as a therapist focuses on early stimulation to prevent or treat communication disorders. She designs and implements cognitive, motor, language, and socio-emotional activities tailored to each child’s unique needs, ensuring maximum developmental progress. Her expertise includes working with children on intellectual, hearing, and autistic spectrum disorders, utilizing innovative techniques such as fingerprint work, lip-facial reading, sign language, and attention training. 

As a Cycle Manager and supervisor of newly graduated therapists, Idania has been instrumental in planning effective teaching and learning processes, personalized diagnostics, and implementing treatment programs. She also provides teacher training, equipping educators to better support children with diverse needs.

Idania believes that working with children who require special attention is both rewarding and transformative. Her approach fosters inclusion and diversity, valuing every child’s unique abilities and challenges. Through this work, she not only impacts the lives of the children and their families but also cultivates greater empathy and creativity within herself and her team.

In her free time, Idania enjoys exploring new ideas, creating content, reading about various topics, and learning about different cultures. Her curiosity and love of helping others drive her continual search for creative and impactful solutions.

Marcela Bernardini, M.Ed

Infant & Toddler Development Specialist

Marcela joined our team recently, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to early childhood development. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Nova Southeastern University and has been committed to supporting children with developmental delays since 2013.

Her journey began as a paraprofessional with Hillsborough County Public Schools, where she worked with students in both inclusive and specialized settings. In 2016, she transitioned to the role of Developmental Specialist at RCMA, providing direct interventions to young children and their families. Since 2019, she has served as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) with the Early Steps program, coaching families and caregivers in strategies that foster children's learning and overall growth.

Marcela is passionate about working with infants and toddlers during their most critical developmental years. She finds immense purpose in helping young children grow emotionally, cognitively, and socially, ensuring they have nurturing and stimulating environments that encourage exploration and secure attachments. Witnessing small milestones evolve into major progress brings her deep personal and professional fulfillment.

Outside of her professional work, Marcela enjoys spending time with her family and investing in the stock market, always seeking new ways to learn and grow.

Barbara Gonzalez, M.Ed, B.P.Ed

Infant & Toddler Development Specialist

Barbara joined our team, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to education and child development. Originally from Cuba, she moved to the United States in 2005 with her husband and son, embracing new opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Barbara holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Havana University and a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in School Counseling from Ana G. Hernandez University. Her passion lies in working with children who require special attention, as she finds great fulfillment in supporting their unique developmental journeys. She values every small achievement, recognizing that even the tiniest progress can be transformative.

Barbara believes that empathy, creativity, and patience are essential in fostering trust and self-esteem in each child. She is deeply committed to creating nurturing environments where children feel seen, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Beyond her professional work, Barbara enjoys listening to music, staying active through exercise, and soaking up the serenity of the beach. She has a deep love for travel and takes every opportunity to explore new places and experiences.