St. Louis, MO – Parents as Teachers, the largest evidence-based early childhood home visiting model in the US, welcomes Dr. Lori Connors-Tadros as the new Chair of the Board of Directors following her position as Vice Chair. The change of leadership, made during the annual in-person meeting in St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday, June 4, is officially implemented today.
“I hope to continue to strengthen the effectiveness of the Board in leading the organization to achieve new goals in research to support families and children’s health and well-being, in high quality programs and services both domestically and internationally, and to ensure the scale and sustainability of [Parents as Teachers] as a leading national organization,” Dr. Connors-Tadros said.
A Senior Research Fellow at the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), Connors-Tadros holds a PhD in Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College and an MS in Early Childhood Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University. Her experience includes senior leadership in the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes and in The Finance Project, providing focused support for children and family service-based programs and policies. She served as Senior Researcher for higher education institutions including Johns Hopkins University’s Center on Schools, Families, Communities, and she practiced as an early childhood specialist and in special education.
An expert in state early childhood policy implementation, quality preschool and early intervention programs, strategic financing, governance and effective partnerships, and early childhood systems building, Dr. Connors-Tadros will build upon the significant contributions she has already made to the organization as she assumes the position as Chair of the Parents as Teachers Board.
“Lori’s position among early childhood systems across the country has enabled her to engage with the most current and vital connections in the field,” said Constance Gully, Parents as Teachers President and CEO. “I look forward to this new chapter in her leadership, as she continues to use her strategic systems thinking to spark forward momentum in the organization.”
Outgoing Chair Dr. Mark Ginsberg will continue to serve as immediate past Chair. Dr. Ginsberg’s 40-year career in clinical psychology, education, and academic administration brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to his tenure as Board Chair.
“Dr. Ginsberg’s unwavering commitment to leadership on the Board of Directors ensured an effective governance structure, supported strong federal advocacy, championed the underlying vision behind every effort, and guided the organization through critical seasons of strategic framework decisions,” Gully said. “We are very grateful for his service and impact on the Board.”
Francis Vigil is transitioning from Secretary to Vice Chair of the Board, and Dr. Dipesh Navsaria will serve as Board Secretary. The annual meeting also marked the end of the single term of Susan Gibson, the second term of Dr. Joshua Sparrow, and the extended second term of Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter. Each of these members invested valuable time, skills, and insight into the organization.
Three new members joined the Board of Directors, each beginning their first three-year term. Jessica Saniguq Ullrich of Anchorage, Alaska, is an Assistant Professor at Washington State University in the Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH) program and holds a PhD in Social Welfare from the University of Washington. Sakinah Harrison of Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a senior program officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and holds a Global Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California and a Master of Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University. Kevin Boulay of Westport, Massachusetts, is the Senior Home Visiting Implementation Specialist and Massachusetts Parents as Teachers State Office Lead and brings over 20 years of experience in family support programs.
The Board of Directors also reviewed and approved a refreshed Parents as Teachers Strategic Framework, which will guide the goals and impacts envisioned for the next three years. In 2015, Parents as Teachers pivoted from a strategic plan to launch a strategic framework; this format coupled with a regular renewal schedule ensures a commitment to responsive strategy and innovation.
About Parents as Teachers
Parents as Teachers creates strong communities, thriving families, and children who are healthy, safe, and learning by matching parents and caregivers with trained professionals for regular personal home visits during a child’s earliest years, from pregnancy through kindergarten. With over 188,000 families served in all 50 U.S. states, 138 tribal organizations, and six other countries, the Parents as Teachers evidence-based home visiting model is backed by over 40 years of research-proven outcomes for children and families. Annually, Parents as Teachers National Center supports over 8,600 professionals and partners with 2,200 organizations, including school systems, social service nonprofits, health departments, tribal organizations, and military installations.