PARENTING EDUCATION
STAFF
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Parenting Education Staff
Laura Josephson, M.A.T
Parenting Education Director
Laura earned a M.A.T in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education from Manahattanville College and a B.A. in Fine Art and Education from The University at Albany. Laura is responsible for overseeing the Parenting Education groups in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Laura came to the Parenting Program in 2012 with a background in Early Childhood and Middle School Education with over 8 years of teaching experience. Previous to a career in education, Laura was in corporate marketing and advertising. In addition she was inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education in 2010. Laura co-facilitated Partners In Play® parenting groups at Gocio Elementary, Our Mothers House, Soar in 4, as well as Sarasota and Manatee Libraries. Prior to becoming the Director she was the Parenting Program Administrator. Laura completed her Graduate Certificate in Infant Family Mental Health from USF in 2017. In 2019 she received her Level One, Professional Certification in Trauma and Resilience from FSU. She is a registered Circle of Security® Parenting™ provider.
Sonia Azar, B.A.
Parenting Education Assistant Director
Sonia earned a B.A. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has over 40 years of experience in the early childhood field and has presented at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference. She began her career at Forty Carrots as a Preschool Teacher, then the Assistant Preschool Director eventually becoming the Preschool Director. Sonia relocated for a short period out of state before returning to Florida to find her home again at Forty Carrots where she joined as a Parenting Educator. During her time away she became certified in Abriendo Puertas, an evidence-based parenting program for Latino families. As a Parenting Educator Sonia co-facilitated bilingual Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting groups in SCSD, delivered an abbreviated Abriendo Puertas program at various Parenting Universities in SCSD and co-facilitated PIP groups in-house and at community partner locations. Prior to her role as the Parenting Education Assistant Director, she supported the team as the Van Coordinator and Program Administrator.
Alissa, B.F.A.
Alissa joins our team with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and MS in Early Childhood Education and Special Education Birth-2nd grade. Alissa has participated in Partners In Play® groups in-house and at the libraries. In addition, she has been a teacher in our Preschool working in various settings. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator; she facilitates parenting groups at the Parenting Center and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Camille, M.S.
Camille joins our team with a M.S. in School and Agency Counseling and a M.S. in Women’s Studies from Old Dominion University. Camille has an extensive background working as an educator in Sarasota and Manatee counties focusing on prevention and awareness education for school aged children. In addition she worked as a case manager working in a non-profit program supporting homeless families. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting educator groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Christine, BA
Christine joined our team with a BA in Sociology/Psychology and is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Child and Adolescent Behavior with a concentration of ages 0-5 years old. Christine brings years of knowledge in Early Childhood and working with families and children. For over 14 years she served as a coordinator in early childhood school settings, Camp Director and Lead Teacher. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Eboni, B.A.
Eboni, B.A. from the University of Florida. Eboni has served the community in a variety of capacities professionally in non-profit organizations. Many of these roles allowed her to motivate, inspire, and empower youth to increase positive outcomes. Eboni participated in Partners In Play® groups at the libraries and school based programs were she learned about the Parenting Program. She began her career with Forty Carrots as a teacher in our Preschool. She then joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator co-facilitating Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Elena, BA, MSW-Graduate Level Intern
Elena joined our team with a BA in Human Development and is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work with an expected graduation date of December 2021. She has a diverse background working with Safe Children Coalition and various Early Childhood Centers. Most recently she completed an internship at the University of South Florida in the Infant- Family Mental Health Center. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Elena also assists with intake coordination and works individually with children and families in the Therapy Department.
Jody, M.S.W., LCSW
Jody is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in the mental health field since 1984. Jody’s focus for over 20 years has been with children and families working as a Mental Health Therapist. She was first involved at Forty Carrots as a parent with her twins and now, as a Therapist, is co-facilitating parenting education groups at First Step Mothers and Infants Program for mothers recovering from addictions and their babies and at SOLVE Maternity Homes, for young homeless expecting mothers at their Manatee facility.
Kristy, B.A.
Kristy joins our team with a B.A. in Art Education from the University of Florida. Kristy taught in the elementary school setting for over 5 years teaching grades Kindergarten through fifth. Kristy attended Partners In Play® groups with her children, where she first learned about Forty Carrots and how we serve our community. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Kristy is the face behind Forty Carrots Facebook/Instagram pages, keeping families and professionals informed with all things Forty Carrots and the latest research in child development and parenting education. Kristy is a registered Circle of Security® Parenting provider.
Lina, M.A.
Lina joins our team with a M.A. in Child and Youth Studies from Sweden. There she held several positions that gave her a broad competence working with families and young children from a Case Manager to a Counselor with a childhood cancer foundation in which she spearheaded the youth and family program. Most recently she volunteers as a Guardian Ad Litem in the court system. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Tammy, BA
Tammy joined our team with a BA in Education, Kindergarten through Eighth Grade and has her Child Care Management Certificate. She was in the education world for over 7 years teaching both elementary and middle school in various economic settings. She then shifted gears to open her own Gymnastics studio working primarily with early childhood ages, 0-5. Most recently Tammy worked as an ESL Teacher with students and families 3 years-12 years of age supporting them with English as their second language and sharing cultural experiences. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties and In-House in the Parenting Center
Tesha, BA, MSW-Graduate Level Intern
Tesha joined our team with a BA in Social Sciences/Psychology and is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work at the University of South Florida. As a Parenting Educator she co-facilitates weekly parenting education groups at various partner locations. Tesha is a registered Circle of Security® Parenting provider, currently co-facilitating groups at the Sarasota County Jail, First Step Mothers & Infants program, and at Forty Carrots. In addition, she is A Window Between Worlds facilitator. Tesha is the author behind the weekly Monday Message e-mails and website blogs keeping families and professionals informed with all things Forty Carrots and the latest research in child development and parenting education. Tesha also works individually with children, adolescents, and families in the Therapy Department.
Wendy, M.S.
Wendy joins our team with a M.S. in PreK/Primary Education from Nova Southeastern University and a B.S. in Communication from Florida State University. Wendy has experience in early childhood education as a Preschool and Kindergarten teacher. She has been a Parenting Educator since 2008. She holds The Happiest Baby on The Block certification, is A Windows Between Worlds facilitator, and is a registered Circle of Security® Parenting™ Educator, co-facilitating the evening series and as the Circle of Security Program Coordinator. Wendy co-facilitates weekly parenting education groups at First Step Mothers & Infants Program, SOLVE Maternity Homes, the CYESIS Teen Parent Program at North Port and Riverview High Schools, and at the Teenage Parenting Program (TAPP) in Manatee County. In 2017, she completed her Infant Family Mental Health Graduate Certificate from USF.