Meet Ms. Suzy!

Suzana Heeren is The Nook’s founder and education director. She is a NYS Certified Teacher with a Master’s Degree in Development Education and Global Learning from the University of London, where she started her career 20 years ago. Suzana has since worked in a wide range of early childhood settings. Deeply inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, Suzana believes young children learn best through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences that are meaningful to them. Continuously curious and dedicated to early childhood education, The Nook represents her vision for a warm, purposeful environment where children are supported in their creativity and independence. She values close partnerships with families, knowing that collaboration between educators and caregivers is essential when nurturing a child’s growth. Suzana sees early educational experiences as the building blocks for creating life‑long learners. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Suzana grew up all over the world - Rio,  Venezuela, Vancouver, Connecticut and Turkey. For the past ten years she has been a proud Brooklyn mom - raising her two daughters right down the street from The Nook!