Inspire Youth. Inspire Learning. Inspire Change.
In and out-of-school time leaders take unique pathways on their experiential journeys, and these journeys are worth spotlighting! Turning to our field specialists, TEAMBOOST is proud to feature their stories centered in Career Inspiration and Insights. Our fourth feature is BOOST Ambassador, Dr. Sonia Toledo (She/Her/Hers).
Thank you, Dr. Toledo, for sharing your story with the BOOST community! We appreciate you!
Career Insights and Inspiration with Dr. Sonia Toledo (She/Her/Hers)
Dr. Sonia Toledo is a proud BOOST Ambassador and the Founder/CEO of Dignity of Children, Inc. in New York, NY.
How did you get into the out-of-school time, expanded learning, or educational field?
My career in youth development was sparked by my first job at a YMCA camp in New York at the age of 15. A defining moment came when I rescued a young boy struggling in the pool, an act that highlighted my natural ability to manage crises and care for children. This experience, coupled with encouragement from a supervisor, solidified my resolve to pursue a career in youth development. Over the years, I progressed from a counselor in training to a program coordinator, always finding greatest joy and effectiveness in creative endeavors with young learners.
A day in the life – what does your day-to-day schedule look like?
Each day as the CEO of Dignity of Children varies, but it generally involves a blend of strategic planning, content creation, and direct engagement with clients and partners. My mornings start with reviewing our current projects and strategic goals, followed by meetings with my team to align our efforts. Afternoons are often reserved for client consultations and partnership development, ensuring we remain proactive and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.
What time of your program year do you look forward to the most?
I most look forward to the beginning of the school year. It’s a time filled with fresh starts and new opportunities to impact educators and students. This period is when we launch new initiatives and witness the exciting outcomes of our training programs as educators implement them in their classrooms.
How has support and/or leadership from others helped you get to where you are now in your career?
Mentorship has played a critical role in my career. From my first supervisor at the YMCA to my sister Elizabeth, who modeled integrity and effective communication in leadership, these figures have profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and my commitment to the field.
Tell us about a goal you have for this school year. How will you know that you have accomplished it?
My goal for this school year is to increase the adoption of our innovative ed-tech training modules across more schools. Success will be measured by the feedback from educators on improved classroom dynamics and the observable increase in student engagement and well-being as a result of our programs.
What motivates you to do this work?
What drives me is the desire to see both children and adults thrive in educational settings that are emotionally supportive and creatively stimulating. I am committed to equipping educators with the tools they need to foster such environments, ultimately ensuring a more dynamic and inclusive education system.
What is one of the highlights of your career? Why?
Delivering keynote speeches on managing stress and developing emotional intelligence has been a highlight. These talks have allowed me to reach a broader audience and make a significant impact on the well-being of educators, which is incredibly rewarding and reaffirms the value of our work.
What’s the biggest mistake you made on the job and what did you learn from it?
Earlier in my career, I learned a tough lesson about the importance of boundary-setting when I was too accommodating in my leadership, which led to professional setbacks. This experience taught me the importance of being firm and clear in decision-making, ensuring that kindness in leadership does not become a weakness.
What is the biggest challenge facing your program today?
The most significant challenge we face is maintaining confidence and momentum in the face of financial uncertainties and external skepticism about new educational methodologies. Overcoming these requires constant innovation and robust evidence of the effectiveness of our approaches.
Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? How did this person impact your life?
My sister Elizabeth has been a tremendous influence on me. Her leadership style—marked by unwavering integrity and effective communication—has shaped my approach to leadership. She taught me the value of honest dialogue and the importance of standing firm in one’s values, lessons that have guided me throughout my career.
Today for breakfast I had…
Leftover rice with arugula and two over-easy eggs. Starting the day with a simple, nourishing meal sets the tone for a focused and productive day, reflecting my belief in beginning each day with intention.