Meet Toni
Toni is a lifelong educator who joined First Tee Sandhills after more than 20 years in the classroom. She earned her degree in Elementary and Special Education, with a focus on Learning and Behavior Disorders, from the University of Kentucky, and later a Master of Education from George Mason University. She worked with students of diverse backgrounds and abilities in Kentucky, Delaware, and Northern Virginia before moving to Moore County in 2001, where she spent the next 20 years teaching at the same elementary school. Her colleagues named her Teacher of the Year.
Her Path to First Tee
In 2020, Toni transitioned out of education, earned a certification in Human Resources, and moved into the private sector. The experience broadened her view of business operations and the importance of building a strong, adaptable workforce, but after a few years she realized how much she missed working with kids and teens. A nonprofit dedicated to character development was the perfect way back. After meeting the First Tee Sandhills team, she knew she had found a welcoming organization whose mission matched her own values. Her take: “once a teacher, always a teacher!”
Proud Moments
Toni is proud of her work supporting student leadership as a sponsor of Student Council, the 7 Healthy Habits of Happy Kids, and Kiwanis Kids. She also helped launch the Roots Club of SFL, which was voted the 2020 Rookie Club of the Year by the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association. Her favorite part was seeing students take ownership of something they built. But what she’s most proud of is her family: her husband, Bob, and their daughter, Caroline. They’re a big part of why she cares so much about investing in kids and community.
What’s Ahead
Toni is most excited to be part of the difference First Tee makes in young people’s lives. Working in schools and alongside community partners means she gets to invest in her own community. She’s focused on growing the First Tee curriculum in school PE programs and bringing Swing Fore Success after-school programming to more schools and community partners across the surrounding counties. She wants more kids in our community to have access to the life skills and confidence First Tee builds, whether or not they ever pick up a club.
Outside of Work
Toni enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, music, trivia, and watching Kentucky football and basketball. She’s also picking golf back up. She lives by the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. Her advice for anyone starting a career working with kids in a nonprofit is to remember that everything you do has an impact, so make it as big and as positive as you can. And if you’re bringing snacks, she can’t pass up doughnuts (not jelly-filled) or cake. She has a huge sweet tooth!
Welcome to the team, Toni!