Parent Leaders

First Teacher was built and is currently led by a diverse group of parents and caregivers who also participate in the movement.

 
 
 
 

Dinah Shepherd

Co-Founder & Co-Director

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA

“I believe that parents are the most powerful people in their child's life.”

Shantae Toole

Co-Founder & Co-Director Emeritus

DORCHESTER, MA

“I joined First Teacher because this is a community where I can be honest about the difficulty of parenting without being judged.”

Tesean Toole

Social Media Coordinator & Photographer

DORCHESTER, MA

“I joined First Teacher because my family participates, and I wanted to show the world that black families have caring, loving, and engaged fathers.”

 

Nikole Huertas

Founding Parent Leader

DORCHESTER, MA

“I was a kid that was left behind. I joined First Teacher because I refuse to allow any of my children to be left behind.”

Kim Nicoll

Founding Parent Leader & Director of Organizational Learning

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA

“I joined First Teacher because I want to be the best parent I can and I want to get there by working with other parents who are interested in figuring it out together.”

Maritza Ortiz

Founding Parent Leader & Director of Operations

BOSTON, MA

“I joined First Teacher because the concept aligned with my belief that parents are their child's first teacher. It is a belief that I have held for many years and take very seriously as a parent.”

 

Karla Guerrero

Parent Leader (2015) &
Director of Programming

HYDE PARK, MA

“I joined First Teacher because I want to give my kids the best tools for learning.”

Erika Rodriguez

Parent Leader (2021)

Dorchester, MA

“I joined First Teacher because I like being involved in the community, being round parents, and helping out.”

Latoya Johnson

Parent Leader (2015)

ROXBURY, MA

“I joined First Teacher so that I could find out if there are more strategies on how to improve my parenting - and there are!”

Katie Mallon

Childcare Coordinator (2018)

Hyde Park, MA

“I joined First Teacher because it is the most joyful, welcoming, and authentic space I’ve ever been in.”

Nadia

Parent Leader & Assistant Director of Development (2022)

Boston

“What kept me coming back was the fun and helpful activities for my child and me. We both really enjoy connecting with other families- First Teacher became a place to bring friends and make friends!”

Alexa Saint-Fort

Parent Leader (2018)

ROSLINDALE, MA

“I joined First Teacher because I was in need of community and no longer wanted to live with my children in isolation.”

Latisha Burns

Parent Leader (2021)

Roxbury, MA

“I joined [FT] because i wanted to be a voice for the parents that needed the support and to have a sense of community. I wanted to be a part of something that I believed in…”

 
 

Advisory Council

Our council is a small group of dedicated individuals who are excited about our movement. We meet quarterly to support First Teacher's growth through fundraising and strategic planning.

 
 

Shantae Toole

First Teacher:
Co-Founder & Co-Director

BPS:
Special Education Teacher

Josette Williams

First Teacher:
Chairwoman of Advisory Council

Countdown to Kindergarten:
Director

 

Teresa Rodriguez

Somerville Public School:
Director of Admissions and Student Placement

Andrew Sokatch

The Gates Foundation:
Senior Program Officer

Jessica Brooks

Capital Link:
Chief Development Officer

Community Health Center Capital Fund:

Chief Development Officer