Who We Are

Kerry Forbord
Early Childhood Education is a passion of mine. I have worked directly in Head Start programs (management) as well as serving on the Policy Committee, preparing for Federal Reviews, conducting staff development, providing parent education and children’s learning activities at multiple sites. I also started a bilingual literacy program for Head Start families. In the capacity of Executive Director at a nonprofit organization, have brought multiple resources, cultural events and parent engagement activities to Head Starts and State Preschool programs.

Starting my career as a preschool special education teacher and developing the district’s first full inclusion program set me on the track of working with children 0-5 and their parents. As a West Ed PITC Trainer I have had the chance to work with many ECE staff in the 0-3 area. For the past 9 years I have directed a nonprofit focused on early childhood education in inner city areas. From staff development and mentoring, school readiness, to launching culturally specific parent/child programs, this position has expanded my knowledge of resources, research and best practices. During my tenure, programs have been developed that serve Head Starts, State pre-K and Even Start programs. Launching the first Native centered ECE program in our community with Intertribal Friendship House was another successful experience.


Rita Jones
A humble native of Oakland, California, I’ve been having a ball for 15 years reaching children ages two through five years in a single bound. Gently educating, stimulating and challenging children’s mind, body and spirit is an everyday occurrence. Enjoying nature's gentle creatures while running at full speed seems to make laughter greater for the children.

Implementing Early Childhood Curricula and supporting programs for families who come from diverse economic and cultural populations comes naturally. Engaging parents in First Teacher Trainings and mentoring staff development for First Five has allowed me to feel that it takes the entire village to succeed.

Dora Pulido-Tobiassen
Dora Pulido-Tobiassen conducts early childhood and diversity training at a local and national level in English and Spanish. One of her areas of interest are infant/toddler program development, design, and staff training. She provides program assessments, preparation for external evaluations, and technical assistance to center and home based programs. She is also experienced in early literacy and language development and parent engagement. Dora is proficient in intentional teaching and relationship based approaches to early learning. She has been part of the development and implementation of numerous parent engagement efforts.

She was Director of Early Childhood Projects and Community Capacity Building for California Tomorrow in Oakland, California. She is co-author of Looking In, Looking Out: Redefining Early Care and Education in a Diverse Society, A Place To Begin: Working with Parents on Issues of Diversity, and Embracing Our Future: Diversity Leadership Training Curriculum and Opening Doors/Abriendo Puertas. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley, she is a bilingual/bicultural Mexican, the daughter of immigrant parents.