ISIS MATERNITY NAMES ANDY SOKATCH AND BEN GATTO

AS INSTRUCTORS FOR IMPROVED “TIME FOR DADS” SERIES

Sokatch and Gatto bring more than a decade of experience working with children and families to the newly expanded, and very popular, “Time for Dads” classes.

 

Needham, Mass., October, 2007 - Isis Maternity, New England’s largest provider of prenatal and postpartum health education and wellness services, is pleased to announce that Andy Sokatch and Ben Gatto, both fathers of young children, have joined the company as instructors for its popular “Time for Dads” series.

Isis Maternity expanded its “Time for Dads” class into a four-session program in response to client feedback. The class provides fathers with the opportunity to join other new fathers in learning about their infant’s development, health and safety, as well as find some new ways to soothe, settle, and play with young babies. Fathers bring their babies to each weekly gathering, which combines question-driven discussions and active play with the babies, with plenty of guys-only time for networking and conversation.

Sokatch and Gatto, experienced instructors who are also fathers, facilitate the programs and can relate to the unique joys and challenges men face when parenting infants and young children.

“Isis Maternity had been looking for fathers to lead our Time for Dads series, and we were delighted when we found Andy and Ben,” said Nancy Holtzman, Director of Early Parenting Programs for Isis Maternity, and one of the company’s founders.  “They are both warm, generous people, and we are excited to be able to add their broad experience to the Isis Maternity education team.”

Andy Sokatch holds a PhD in social policy and children’s welfare from Brandeis University, and currently serves as the Director of Research and Evaluation for The New Teacher Project, a national education nonprofit. He has served as an evaluation consultant to numerous local and national nonprofits, including the Carnegie Corporation, The Open Society Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation. Andy has worked with preschoolers and taught at the elementary, middle school, college and graduate school levels. He teaches “Time for Dads” at Isis Maternity’s Brookline center and has a 5-month-old son.

“I have always been drawn to working with families,” said Sokatch.  “I’m very excited to be working with new fathers to help them adjust to the enormous changes in their lives, especially as a new father myself.”

Ben Gatto, who teaches in the Needham center and has two young daughters, holds a Masters in Education from Wheelock College and has taught elementary school in Natick for the past eight years. He’s worked with children with special needs and coached a variety of sports for young children.

“Time for Dads” is a four-week program that meets for one hour sessions on the weekend.  A complete list of classes taught by Sokatch, Gatto, and the rest of the Isis Maternity team can be found on the company’s Web site at www.isismaternity.com or by calling (781) 429-1500.