Our Team
Parent Leaders
First Teacher was built and is currently led by a diverse group of parents and caregivers who also participate in the movement.
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.”
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.”
Nadia Torres
Parent Leader &
Director of Development (2022)
BOSTON, MA
“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!”
Ludvie Victor-Ackerman
Parent Leader &
Director of Operations
DORCHESTER, MA
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.”
Alexa Paris 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.”
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.”
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!”
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.”
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
Dinah Shepherd
First Teacher:
Co-Founder & Co-Director
Educator &
Department Chair
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