First Teacher is a community of parents and caregivers working together to prepare our children to be school- and world-ready. At First Teacher, we believe parents and caregivers are their child’s first and most transformative advocate, brain-builder, and teacher. In our city and across our nation, Black and Brown parents and caregivers are often not viewed as the greatest asset in their child’s life. We seek to actively dispel the myth that Black and Brown children need to be saved by others; rather, their parents and caregivers need a supportive, non-judgmental community to realize their own power and our collective power. 

Founded in 2013 by parents in Boston, First Teacher works with families in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan to create family-centered and parent/caregiver-centered programming. All of our work together is building toward reaching three goals:

1. Building a safe, supportive community of families with young children
2. Increasing our confidence and competence in our roles as our children’s first teacher
3. Ensuring our children are prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Our goals are in that order for a reason. Only in a safe, loving, supportive community can we all thrive.