About – We Are Little Scholars

Our Philosophy

We Are Little Scholars is an educational enrichment company that is committed to supporting children on their academic journey. We make learning accessible through personalized curricula, scaffolding lessons, and flexible teaching styles in order for children to be successful. We believe in making the transition between preschool and the early elementary years stress-free for the child. Every child deserves to feel competent in their world.

About the Founder

Nina Di Leo’s passion and expertise lie in early childhood development and education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from The New School in New York City. Prior to launching We Are Little Scholars, Nina worked at Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s (WBT) Early Childhood Center in Los Angeles as a Lead Transitional/Developmental Kindergarten teacher.

Nina has worked with children of all ages, but specializes in preparing children for Kindergarten – from general Kinder readiness to private school interviews. Nina provides a comprehensive “toolbox” of strategies to help build the confidence of students. Her approach is personalized to tailor to the needs of her student’s needs, learning styles, and interests.

Nina grew up in Palos Verdes, CA and on the Upper East Side of New York. She currently resides in Beverly Hills, CA with her miniature dachshund puppy, Bonnie. She enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, and entertaining friends and family.

Advisory Board

Bari Lurie

For more than a decade, Bari has served as part of the leadership team of the Clinton Foundation steering the overall mission, strategic direction, and programming of the global organization. As Chief of Staff, she is responsible for shaping Chelsea’s engagement across all Foundation initiatives. Prior to her work with Chelsea and the Clinton Foundation, Bari was Chief of Staff at Tribeca Enterprises. Bari graduated from George Washington University with a degree in Political Communications. She lives in New York City with her husband Jeff and their two little scholars, Jacob and Eliana.

Erica Werber

Erica Werber is the Founder and CEO of Literie, a successful candle startup based in New York City. Previously she was a Partner and Vice President of Brand Development at Brand Atelier. In her 20-year career, she has worked with world-renowned brands like Lacoste, Ted Baker, Swatch, and Martha Stewart in various brand-building positions.

Jaye-Jo Portanova

Jaye-Jo Portanova, M.D. is an experienced adult and child psychiatrist specializing in mediation, co-parenting counseling, collaborative law, attorney/client consultation, and family therapy. She received her undergraduate and medical degree at the University of California, Los Angeles, which is also where she did her internship in pediatrics. She is board certified in both adult and child psychiatry. Also, she was selected by Los Angeles Superior Court Judges to serve on the Downtown Los Angeles Psychiatric Custody Evaluation Panel and has performed numerous child custody evaluations. Dr. Portanova has been practicing in the Los Angeles area for over 35 years. Her extensive training and experience with parents and children provide her with unique skills to facilitate families through this difficult and stressful time

Karen Handler Ryan

Born and raised in New York City, Karen Handler Ryan is an alumna of Trinity School in Manhattan. She received her B.A. in Psychology with Honors from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. She received her J.D. from Columbia University Law School and went on to practice law at a major international firm. She has completed the Columbia University Teachers College Advising Program. As a volunteer college consultant for ScholarMatch and a member of the Common Sense Media New York Advisory Council, Karen is a staunch advocate for equity in education. She has traveled across the country, visiting colleges of various sizes, believing that first-hand knowledge of colleges and universities facilitates the ability to create a successful match between a student and a school. Karen aims to use her expertise to take the stress out of the college application process for students and their families.