Tool Kit Licensing Coordinator

Phone: 475-282-4770

Elman was born in the Dominican Republic, and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She studied Business Administration at the University of Bridgeport. Prior to joining the All Our Kin staff, Elman was a licensed family child care provider in Bridgeport and graduated from the All Our Kin Business Series in 2015. Elman has developed strong relationships with various nonprofits in Bridgeport, including Neighborhood Trust, Gear Up, All Our Kin, and Habitat for Humanity, who is currently building her home. In 2014 she was part of a Yale University medical study on depression in teenagers, and in 2015 she was also part of a Yale University medical study on high blood pressure in children. Elman enjoys working with children and helping others.

Bridgeport Director

Phone: 475-282-4770 ext. 10 (office line), 203-893-9779 (cell)

Jill Keating Herbst has been an educator and non-profit professional for nearly 20 years. She joined AOK in 2017 from Common Ground High School, Urban Farm and Environmental Education Center where she was a program manager and teacher. Prior to her time at Common Ground, she worked as an elementary and middle school teacher and coordinated several informal education programs in Florida, California and Vermont. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Florida and an M.Ed. from Antioch University New England.

Business Development Coach

Phone/Text: 203-204-31

Joel was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He received a Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a Social Science concentration from the University of Bridgeport. He is currently completing his course work at Johnson and Wales University where he is earning his Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management. He’s been in sales as a Real Estate Broker and Realtor® in Connecticut and Florida since 2012. He operates a successful small business in Connecticut while giving back to the community through his generous MeetUp group, “Hatch CT” which provides support and networking for small business owners in New Haven County. Joel enjoys the entrepreneurial spirit, and spending time with his partner and their three dogs.

Bilingual Educational Coach

Phone: 475-282-4770 or 203-836-3438

Johana Vallejo was born and raised in Norwalk, CT but later moved to Bridgeport, CT, after graduating college. She attended Southern Connecticut State University where she received a BA with concentrations in Social Work and Psychology. Johana became a parent during her time as a student and was more eager than ever to complete her education to provide a resourceful life for her son. Prior to joining All Our Kin in 2019, Johana worked in multiple early learning centers as a lead toddler teacher/curriculum specialist. Johana has always had a passion for working with children and believes that children are more knowledgeable than we can  imagine and therefore need to be challenged in order to promote curiosity and growth. Johana also enjoys mentoring educators and believes that together they can help close the achievement gap in the community that is being served. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family, read, and loves to attend her son's basketball games.

Educational Coach

Phone: 475-282-4770

Lisa joined All Our Kin after having worked for eight years with children in both toddler and primary classrooms. She trained in Montessori "Assistants to Infancy" (birth to three) at the Montessori Institute in Denver, Colorado. Lisa currently leads infant/parent and toddler/parent classes in New York and Connecticut, helping parents understand early childhood development. She also conducts in-home visits, working one-on-one with children, and coaching parents on issues they are facing in the parent-child relationship. Lisa earned her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College. She has three children, ages 16, 20 and 22.

Early Childhood Outdoor Education Coach

Phone: 203-491-8090

Monica grew up in Ohio where good home-cooking and helping her grandfather in the garden spurred an appreciation of the importance of childhood nutrition and outdoor play. Monica has a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Denison University and is bilingual in English and Spanish. At Denison, she developed her passion for creative garden spaces while leading the construction of a roof-top garden on the dining hall. She moved to New Haven 3 years ago to serve with the FoodCorps in the Bridgeport Public Schools to connect kids with fresh, healthy foods, and has taught English as a second language to adults for two years at Junta for Progressive Action. In her free time, Monica loves to cook with veggies from the garden and go on hiking adventures.

Educational Coach & Provider Mentor

Phone: 475-282-4770 

Natasha was born and raised in St. Lucia, West Indies. After living in Brooklyn, New York for many years, she settled in Connecticut. Before joining All Our Kin in 2018, Natasha directed her own NAFCC-accredited, licensed Family Child Care program, which she ran for 8 years. She has an Associate in Child Development and a certificate in Behavioral Management that she obtained at Housatonic Community College in 2017. She is continuing her studies and professional development in Early Childhood Education and Behavioral Management. Natasha is a mom of a 5 year old boy, and she has been working with children for the past 23 years. Natasha believes that all children are born geniuses, and they just have their own learning styles. She believes children learn and grow best through positive encouragement, play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. She is dedicated to mentoring and coaching educators to reach their goals to ensure each child receives the best care, respect, social and emotional development, and love that they deserve to strive for a bright future.

Office Associate

Phone: 475-282-4770

Pamela was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, where she graduated high school. She attended Norwalk Community College majoring in General Studies, while working in a family child care program. She moved to Bridgeport in 2005 and enrolled at Housatonic Community College, studying business, marketing, and sociology. Before joining All Our Kin in 2019, Pamela worked for several years as a sales representative and store manager, where she became the district brand selector, responsible for selecting products that were most beneficial for the community the business served. Outside of work, she enjoys reading books, cooking, and spending time with her three daughters, friends and family. What she loves most about All Our Kin is the passion everyone brings to ensure family child care providers get all the help and knowledge they need to create the best home child care program in their community.