Teaching Children to Think Big and Dream Boldly
Who We Are
Staff
Gloria D. Matlock
Founder and Director
Gloria Matlock is a teacher, advocate, musician, and community organizer, who resides in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Gloria Matlock's experiences as a music teacher and advocate for racial justice have enabled her to create an enrichment program for students that integrates academics with art and music, within a multicultural framework.
As an African-American woman, raised in a family that struggled financially, Gloria Matlock understands the challenges confronting her students. Inspired by her parents, who instilled in Ms. Matlock and her siblings the value of education, she created Twice as Smart to not only improve the children’s academic skills, but also to enable them to develop self-esteem and recognize their potential.
Gloria Matlock has created an environment of consistency and unconditional positive regard that serves as a buffer against the harsh challenges confronting her students. She provides children with the tools to resist the school to prison pipeline, guiding them on a path that promotes resilience, academic success, and the opportunity to dream big!
Gloria Matlock is the recipient of the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award presented by Greenfield Community College for her efforts to carry on Dr. King’s ideals in the community.
Aidin Martinez Luna
Coordinator
Aidin Martinez Luna grew up in the countryside in Coamo, PR with her parents and sisters. She came to the United States in 2018, learning English at the Center for New Americans. Aidin now lives in Greenfield MA, with her two children and her husband. She joined Twice As Smart because she likes to help people, especially children. Aidin feels happy when she can help someone. It satisfies her to see the children happy, when she helps them with reading, writing or mathematics and then hears that they succeed or believe, “I can do it! I did it!". The thing she most likes about Twice As Smart is assisting children and young people, while giving them the opportunity to express themselves no matter where they come from. Everyone is welcome at Twice As Smart.
Board
Michael Kane
Economic Development Consultant
Michael Kane was an economic development analyst and strategic planner for Mt. Auburn Associates, a small consulting firm in Somerville, MA. He was also the Director of the Northern Tier Project, a regional economic development project initiated by former Congressman John Olver. He was co-founder of the Northampton Education Foundation. He also took part in a number of internationally-focused efforts to end conflicts in Latin America, the Middle East and the Balkans. He has been part of the Twice As Smart team for the last 3 years.
Varinda Robinson
Educator
Varinda Robinson is an accomplished educator with a passion for teaching and learning and a commitment to academic excellence. Varinda has gained extensive experience in various educational settings. She has taught in public schools where she worked with students and staff from diverse backgrounds and abilities. Her expertise lies in designing and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment and coaching groups to become well-rounded and productive citizens while gaining a genuine love for learning under her guidance. Varinda is currently serving in the role of Federal Programs Administrator for the Newport News City Public Schools, in Newport News, VA. In addition, she actively volunteers her time and expertise as a mentor, a role model, and continues to make a profound impact on the lives of her school community.
Deborah Shriver
Educator; Water Resource Consultant
Deborah Shriver is a former educator and consultant and researcher in water resource protection. As a volunteer she has helped to permanently protect local forestland and advocate for responsible development in her town. She works for the protection of voting rights in the US and humanitarian aid for Syria. She has served on community school boards and currently serves on the board of the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding. She has known Gloria Matlock for more than thirty years.
Sara Weinberger
Professor Emerita of Social Work
Sara Weinberger taught social work and was chair of the BSW program at Western New England University in Springfield. She co-created Voices from Inside, a creative writing program for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, and has been involved in community education and activism to alleviate the suffering in Darfur, Syria, and with Healing Across the Divides, an organization that funds grassroots public health programs for marginalized people in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. She was a founding member of the Northampton Reparations Committee and writes a monthly column focused on social justice for The Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Sara joined the board of Twice as Smart in 2022 and is thrilled to be involved with this organization, which involves children in so many enriching opportunities.
Advisory Board
Amy Clarke, Member, Board of MA Woman’s Home Missionary Union
Douglas Clarke, Treasurer, Second Congregational Church
Hidy Osorio, Manager, Greenfield Savings Bank
Judy Raper, Associate Dean for Community Engagement, Greenfield Community College
Marc Smiley, Principal, Solid Ground Consulting, Strategic Planning
Emily Whitney, Community Connector
Volunteer Tutors and Helpers
Laurie Boosahda, Educator
Bekka Eowind, Musical Instructor
Heidi Haas, Theater Improv Teacher and Clinical Social Worker
Michael Nix, Musical Instructor
Zia Salomon-Fernandez, Student Tutor
Bruce Watson, Educator
Sam Whitney, Student Tutor
Our Funders
We are grateful for the many individual donors who support Twice As Smart, as well as The Massachusetts Woman’s Home Missionary Union and donor advised funds of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their generous grants.