Our Team
Aquaya Cole
Founding Director of Operations
Aquaya Cole was raised in the heart of Brooklyn, New York — proudly carrying with her the resilience, determination, and bold spirit of the city that shaped her. A proud graduate of Colgate University, she earned her degree in Sociology with a minor in Education, laying the foundation for a career rooted in service, advocacy, leadership, and community impact.
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Throughout her professional journey, Ms. Cole has served children and families across various educational and community-based settings. Her experience includes providing support to children of all ages, delivering multidisciplinary services to students with special needs, and leading within classroom environments. Her work has always been guided by a deep belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, supported, and given access to opportunities that help them thrive.
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In addition to her extensive work in education, Ms. Cole has owned and operated an event planning and consulting business for more than ten years. This entrepreneurial experience has strengthened her ability to organize, lead, problem-solve, build systems, and bring meaningful visions to life. Her background reflects a unique blend of educational expertise, operational leadership, creativity, and community-centered service.
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As a Director of Operations, Ms. Cole plays a vital role in ensuring that the school functions with structure, purpose, and efficiency. Her work directly impacts the daily experience of students, families, staff, and the greater school community. From strengthening internal systems and improving communication to supporting compliance, logistics, enrollment, scheduling, facilities, vendor coordination, events, and day-to-day problem-solving, she helps create the foundation that allows teaching and learning to happen effectively.
Her leadership in operations is more than managing tasks — it is about building a school environment where people feel supported, expectations are clear, and systems are aligned with the mission of student success. By streamlining processes, improving team performance, and helping the school respond to challenges with strategy and care, Ms. Cole contributes to a culture of stability, accountability, and growth. Her work ensures that staff can focus more fully on instruction, families can trust the organization of the school, and students can learn in an environment that is safe, welcoming, and well-supported.
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Ms. Cole is also a passionate advocate for children and young adults. She is known for making her voice heard on behalf of those she serves and for creating spaces where young people can reflect, grow, and discover their own voices. Through her community-based curriculum, the Real Talk Series, she has spent years empowering young adults through honest conversations, mentorship, life skills, and personal development. This work has left a lasting impact on many lives and continues to reflect her commitment to meaningful change.
With the knowledge, skills, and lived experience she has gained over the years, Ms. Cole has become a strong and valuable leader in the world of school operations. She has demonstrated a proven ability to streamline processes, improve team performance, strengthen systems, and support organizational growth. Her leadership is grounded not only in strategy and execution, but also in compassion, purpose, and a sincere desire to build environments where people can succeed.
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Above all, Aquaya Cole is a mentor, advocate, leader, and change-maker. She brings together her experience in education, business, operations, and community engagement to help shape stronger systems and brighter futures for the children, families, and communities she serves.
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Earliest Memory of the Arts: When I was younger, I participated in a production called "Treemonisha" and performed with my elementary school choir at Carnegie Hall. Throughout my childhood I was immersed in all artistic disciplines/curriculums arts including unique programs like circus arts. ​
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Margaret Simon
Founding Instructional Testing Coordinator
Margaret Simon is an educator, mentor, and advocate with 14 years of experience working with K–8 and LA Job Corps learners. I hold a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Organizational Management from the Forbes School of Business, but my real education has come from consistently showing up for students and communities that needed more than the basics. From the classroom to leadership, my passion lies in helping educators tap into their zone of genius so their scholars can thrive. My data-driven yet engaging approach has empowered both myself and the educators I’ve mentored to increase student engagement and drive meaningful academic growth. At the core of my work is a deep commitment to pushing the culture forward in education—because when teachers are supported and empowered, schools are transformed, and when we center creativity, genius, and joy, we don’t just teach children, we inspire them.
Andrea Paleyo
Office Manager Registrar
I am 23 years old and have called Las Vegas home since 2012. My professional journey began at Mt. Charleston Cabins (2020–2022), where I managed guest services and maintained essential documentation. I then served as Front Office Manager and Registrar at Nevada Prep Charter School (2022–2025), overseeing administrative operations and student records, earning a promotion due to my strong organizational skills. Currently, I hold the same position at Do & Be Arts Academy of Excellence, ensuring efficient office operations and a welcoming environment for students and staff.
My career aspirations include earning a Master's Degree in Psychology and opening a women's mental health clinic in Mexico, dedicated to providing accessible and culturally relevant care. Ultimately, I aim to expand globally to support mental health more broadly.
In my personal life, I am passionate about the color green and the symbolic meaning of sunflowers. An enthusiastic amateur baker, I specialize in making flan and have a strong affection for matcha beverages. In my leisure time, I enjoy snowboarding, playing volleyball, and reading extensively across various genres.
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Maria Pelayo
Not Pictured:
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Mary Mitchell , Maurica Peoples, and Dan Barber
Special Education Teaching
Assistants
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Johnesha Powell
Special Education Compliance officer
ADA Policy - Americans with Disabilities Act
Do & Be Arts Academy of Excellence complies with state and federal guidelines in serving students and hiring and promoting team members who are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of your job or responsibilities as a student, you are required to notify your supervisor in writing (team member) or required to notify the school in writing (a parent/guardian of a student with a disability). In such writing you should specifically identify the nature and extent of your disability and request the accommodations that you believe are necessary to complete the essential functions of your job or as a student. You may be requested to also submit medical documentation to verify the nature and extent of your disability. Do & Be Arts Academy of Excellence will comply with federal law in making commercially reasonable efforts to provide appropriate and reasonable accommodation to disabled workers and students.
