The Team

JAN NELSON, M.S.Ed., President

JAN NELSONJan Nelson, M.S.Ed. is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Toothfairy Island. She is the creative genius behind the development of the TFI characters, story line, curriculum, and peripherals. Jan also ensures that the TFI program meets the learning objectives of both the National Board of Education and the Academy of General Dentistry. Friends of the National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research awarded Jan Nelson the 2006 Dentsply/Harold Slavkin Oral Health Science Education Award for her creative and innovative use of science curricula to teach oral health, which imparts excitement about oral health and oral health research.

jan@toothfairyisland.com


MARTY STYSKAL, M.S.Ed., Curriculum Development

MARTY STYSKALMarty Styskal, M.S.Ed. had a long distinguished career in elementary education. She is a fellow in the South Basin Writing Project and dedicated to the concept that education is more powerful if the students enjoy what they are doing. She manages the development of the TFI's innovative and engaging lesson plans and supports the development of our outcomes assessments. Marty shares the TFI passion to make a measurable impact in pediatric oral health for underserved children.


THE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, Production Company

THE COMMUNICATIONS GROUPThe Communications Group (TCG) is a strategic and creative communication solutions partner that utilizes the latest technology and multimedia applications to create cost-effective, results-oriented programs and events encompassing video productions for DVD or web based projects, as well as feature films, commercials and corporate marketing/communications applications.


ALT9 DESIGN, Media Production

ALT9 DESIGNWith a background in marketing and advertising, Alt9 offers a range of production and design services for agencies and small to medium sized companies. From graphic and website design to video and 3D animation. We approach each project with enthusiasm and realize the importance of communication and accountability to our clients and vendors. Alt9 Design is committed to creative, quality design and welcomes client collaboration.


MARY APARICIO, Translator

Mary AparicioBorn in Michocan, Mexico, Mary Aparicio moved to the United States at the age of 6. After mastering the English language in one year, she began her career as a translator. She first translated for her parents and then began working with non-English speaking students at the junior high and high school. She continues to act as a translator at Westminster High School. It was while she worked as a health technician in the Moreno Valley Unified School District that she became aware of the dental disease epidemic. Mary has never lost her desire to help non-English speaking students and their parents. Today she uses her skills as a translator to help bring the messages of Toothfairy Island to the Hispanic community worldwide. As part of Mary’s work she recently translated Dr. Croll’s “Gross, Disgusting and Totally Cool Mouth Book” into Spanish.


SHADI POURKASHEF, Music Composer

SHADI POURKASHEFSoon after completing UCLA's Film Scoring program, Ms. Pourkashef's music career took off by scoring two short films followed by six full feature films in the period of 3 years. Her credits also include over 50 commercials, movie trailors and children's music. Although she's mostly known as a dramatic composer of symphonic music, she enjoys her fairly new passion for song writing as well. You can visit her at her website:www.shadipourkashef.com



What our clients say...

The Toothfairy Island educational curriculum has been a valuable tool for our organization and many collaborative partners. Words alone cannot demonstrate how wonder this program is. Teachers, administrators and numerous community partners consistently compliment us on the innovative, fun and interactive program. Most importantly, we are demonstrating many positive oral health outcomes!

Debi Diaz, Executive Director 
Community Oral Health Services 
Salinas, California