Sylvia Dandrata, Forest Days Guide

Sylvia Dandrata holds a Master Degree in Education from Wheelock College and a Bachelor degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts.  Sylvia has recently retired from 17 years as the Director of Education and Child Development at Communities United Inc. a Head Start agency serving 11 cities and towns in the Metro-West area.

Sylvia has been working in the field of education for 36 years. Prior to joining Head Start in 2005 Sylvia worked with children and adolescents in the Needham public schools. Sylvia was an adjunct professor at Quincy College, Framingham State University and Lasell University.   She was the founder and co-owner of a nursery school in Needham and she founded the Needham Children’s Museum.  Sylvia has extensive experience working with children and families in many different settings.

Sylvia is an athlete competing in marathons, triathlons and extreme bike challenges, like the PMC. Sylvia is and avid outdoors person. She is happiest when outside and likes nothing more than sharing her love of the outdoors with children. In fact, if she had not gone into the field of education she would have become a forest ranger.

Sylvia has 2 adult children who live nearby. Sylvia and her husband are devoted to their family and their friends and feel extremely blessed.

For Fall 2023, we are delighted to continue our collaboration with Professor Emily Mann and welcome service learning students from Northeastern University to volunteer with our Forest Days program.