At Tandem, we know that small books teach big lessons: a child smiling delightedly at a story, a caregiver connecting with their child through a book in their home language, and an educator watching a child light up with confidence.
This past year, I witnessed one of those moments in a San Francisco preschool classroom. My colleague Susan Chen read aloud from a counting book that showed a father and his daughter walking through Chinatown as the child learned her numbers from one to ten. The joy that Susan brought into this experience—and the children’s obvious enthusiasm as they participated—captured the essence of our mission: relationship-centered, high-quality early learning experiences that ripple into families and communities.
Those ripples reached far this year. Together, we:
- Reached 24,722 children and families across Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties.
- Brought more than 45,000 books into homes, classrooms, and community spaces.
- Partnered with 2,631 educators through professional development.
- Hosted 197 family workshops and playgroups that brought play, early literacy, and math learning into living rooms and community centers.
Behind every number is a story: a father in Oakland discovering joy in reading aloud with his son; a teacher in Pittsburg introducing playful math games that sparked confidence; a grandmother in San Francisco who told us that Tandem helped her find the resources and the community to help her grandchild thrive.
As proud as I am of this year’s impact, what excites me most is where Tandem is headed. Our vision is simple: deepen the learning, grow our reach, and build the foundation so this work lasts. That means more StoryCycles in more classrooms, more math and literacy woven into play at home, and stronger partnerships with educators and families who know their communities best.
This future is bold, and its exactly what children and families should expect from an equitable early learning system. And with the dedication of our staff, the wisdom of our partners, and the generosity of our supporters, it’s a vision within reach.
As I prepare to step down as Executive Director later this year, I feel both pride and gratitude. Tandem’s programs are thriving, our team is stronger than ever, and our path forward is clear. Thank you fgor walking with us on this journey—and for believing, as we do, that every child should grow up surrounded by laughter and learning.
With gratitude,
Savitha Moorthy
Executive Director
Savitha Moorthy
Executive Director
Savitha was brought up to leave the world a little bit better than she found it. For her, this has meant dedicating her life to improving learning opportunities, experiences, and outcomes for young children, especially those growing up in under-served communities. Savitha holds a PhD in Education from Stanford University and a Masters in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, in India.
