Family Advisory Board
Learning Heroes’ Family Advisory Board (FAB) is a passionate group of parents and caregivers from communities across the country who partner with us to strengthen meaningful, trusting relationships between families and schools. Established in 2022, the lived experiences, insights, and leadership of the Family Advisory Board help guide our efforts and keep families at the heart of everything we do.
2026 Family Advisory Board
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1
Alana SmithAt the heart of her work as a School Psychologist, Alana Smith has a deep commitment to helping youth learn, think, and develop in healthy, supportive environments.Read More -
2
Charryse Fredrick-OmariCharryse Fredrick-Omari is a North Carolina native who, along with her husband whose homeland is Tanzania, is raising three Black geniuses in Durham, North Carolina, with their eldest turning 21 this year and two children under the age of 10. The Omari family is a bilingual, multicultural blended family that enjoys spending time together around a good home-cooked meal and fellowship with family and friends.Read More -
3
Heidi CostelloHeidi is a wife and a mom to two wonderful boys with special needs, living in Utah. She is a passionate and dedicated advocate for her sons and for all children with special needs, always striving to create opportunities, support families, and raise awareness about the importance of inclusive learning.Read More -
4
Jelisha TautgesJelisha Tautges is a mother and long-standing advocate for children’s learning and development. She resides in Oklahoma with her six-year-old daughter.Read More -
5
Karessa JacksonKaressa Jackson is a passionate educator based in Brooklyn, New York, with nine years of experience as a certified teacher.Read More -
6
LaToya WoodsLaToya Woods is a Milwaukee native, community advocate, and proud mother of three—two adult daughters, one a college student and the other an entrepreneur, and a son who will soon enter middle school.Read More -
7
Marcello RinaldiMarcello Rinaldi lives in Northern Illinois with his wife Mirna, their twin boys, and their two dogs, Ella and River. He leads international learning programs in a large pharmaceutical organization, defining learning strategies and coordinating the team efforts across the globe.Read More -
8
Orianna LargentOrianna Largent is a bilingual community leader and literacy advocate who believes learning begins at home through strong, supported families. Orianna lives in Virginia.Read More -
9
Tawa BakareyTawa Bakarey resides in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and two sons. As a family, they enjoy traveling, bowling, and playing paddleball.Read More -
10
Tyesha JacksonTyesha Jackson, a native of Milwaukee, WI who now resides in Northwest Arkansas. She’s a dedicated parent and caregiver raising four children across elementary, middle, and high school, giving her a broad perspective on the educational journey from early learning through adolescence.Read More