Co-Founders and Directors

Joshua and Tanya Paris

Tanya has been a public school educator in Massachusetts for 28 years. She began teaching kindergarten in Chelsea to recent immigrants in a Sheltered English Immersion program. She then taught in the Special Education department in Chelsea for a few years before moving back to Kindergarten at the Runkle School in Brookline. Recently she took on the same role at the Pierce School also in Brookline. Tanya was born and raised in San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic before moving to the United Stated to attend college. She earned an Associates Degree from Greenfield Community College and a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Masters Degree in early childhood education and special education from Wheelock College. Tanya is also a published author and poet. She is also the recipient of a Teacher of the year award.

Josh has also been a public school educator in Massachusetts for 28 years. He began teaching bilingual math and science to recent immigrants at Chelsea High School for many years before moving on to the math department at Brookline High School. He taught for many years before taking on the role of the math department curriculum coordinator twelve years ago. Josh has Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and computer science from Middlebury College and a Masters in Education from Harvard University.

​Directors

​Nelly Reyes and Samuel Montas

Nelly is an entrepreneur and business owner. She has a Bachelor in Leadership and Management from New York University.

Samuel has spent his career working in the Information Technology Department at New York University. He was also born in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York to attend college. He has an A.A.S. in Computer Technology from LaGuardia Community College and a Bachelors in Management and Systems from New York University.

Community Relations

Yolanda Villanueva de Montas

Yolanda is a community leader in Madre Vieja, San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic. She served as Regidora (state representative) from Madre Vieja for many years and is the co-founder of the Juntas de Vecinos (Neighborhood Association) de Madre Vieja Cooperative, an organization whose purpose is to ensure that the citizens of Madre Vieja are supported by the local government. La Doña is the mother of six and grandmother of sixteen.

Director

Carmen Montilla

Carmen is a fashion and interior designer in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

Social Media Manager/Education Center Coordinator

Cailyn Montilla

Cailyn is a graduate of the Loyola Polytechnic Institute in San Cristobal, DR. She is currently studying media relations at University. She is also a published poet.Doña Yolanda is a community leader in Madre Vieja, San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic. She served as Regidora (state representative) from Madre Vieja for many years and is the co-founder of the Juntas de Vecinos (Neighborhood Association) de Madre Vieja Cooperative, an organization whose purpose is to ensure that the citizens of Madre Vieja are supported by the local government. La Doña is the mother of six and grandmother of sixteen.

Teacher

Yolanda Montas

Yolanda has been a bilingual educator in Queens, New York for many years. She has a bachelor of science in accounting from Queens College as well as a Masters in Education from La Universida Autónoma de Santo Domingo (La UASD). Also she is the summer camp director

Teaching Assistant/Community Relations

Yasira Margarita Santos Medina

Yasira works as a correctional case worker for juveniles in Dedham, Massachussetts. She has an Associates Degree from Mass Bay Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Wheelock College.