Our Staff

At Global Tots Academy, we take pride in our team of highly educated, dedicated early childhood professionals who bring both expertise and heart into the classroom every day. Our staff members are not only certified and trained in early education, CPR, and First Aid—they are passionate individuals who genuinely love what they do. Each teacher is carefully chosen for their experience, compassion, and ability to create a nurturing, engaging environment where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired to learn. We believe that when educators lead with love and intention, children thrive—and that belief is reflected in everything we do.

Erilda Zhugli

Owner/Director

Erilda Zhugli has spent over 20 years immersed in the world of early childhood education, with a deep passion for nurturing young minds and fostering meaningful growth in children. Her journey began in high school, where she took child development classes and worked in the school’s daycare, sparking a lifelong commitment to the field. Erilda holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Ashworth College, and is certified as a Lead Preschool and Infant/Toddler Teacher, as well as Director I & II through the Massachusetts EEC. She is also CPR and First Aid certified. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles such as Lead Teacher, Mentor, Assistant Director, and Center Director—gaining extensive experience in curriculum development, staff training, licensing, and center operations. After years of planning and hands-on experience, Erilda is now fulfilling her dream of opening Global Tots Academy—a nurturing, family-focused childcare center where learning is rooted in love, play, and intentional guidance. Her goal is to create a safe and engaging space where children thrive emotionally, socially, and academically, and where families feel supported every step of the way.

Ezhugli@GlobalTotsAcademy.com

Gissel Rodriguez

Preschool Lead Teacher

Hi! I’m Gissel Rodriguez, a proud Lead Teacher at Global Tots Academy, where I spend my days learning, laughing, and growing alongside some pretty amazing little humans. I earned my Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from North Shore Community College and continued my studies at Salem State University. I am Lead Teacher certified, as well as CPR and First Aid certified. Before completing my degree, I had the opportunity to intern under the mentorship of Director Erilda Zhugli. That experience helped shape me into the educator I am today and confirmed that teaching young children is truly my calling. As a mom of two, I understand how important it is for families to feel comfortable and confident when they drop their children off each morning. I treat every child in my classroom with the same love, patience, and care I give my own. I believe deeply in learning through play, getting messy, exploring our environment, discovering nature, moving our bodies, and spending time outside. Some of our best learning happens while digging in the dirt, painting with our hands, building, dancing, creating, and simply exploring the world around us. My classroom is filled with creativity, energy, hands on experiences, and yes, lots of joyful, silly moments too. Teaching isn’t just my job, it’s my passion. Watching children grow, gain confidence, and light up when they discover something new is the best part of my day. I feel so grateful to be part of a team that leads with heart and truly cares about every child and family.

“Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded”