PRESCHOOL
EDUCATORS
Good Beginnings That Last A Lifetime
Preschool Educators
Flora Oynick, M.A.
Preschool Director
Flora Oynick, M.A. and a B.A. in Education, with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education. Flora’s background is rooted in over 30 years of Early Childhood teaching and management. After moving to Sarasota from Mexico City, Flora has worked in Early Childhood settings as an administrator, developing curriculum, finding and creating opportunities for professional development for her staff and herself, and building relationships with children and families. Prior to becoming the Preschool Director, Flora most recently worked as a Forty Carrots Parenting Educator at the Sarasota and Manatee County Libraries. When Flora is not at Forty Carrots she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading and traveling.
Brittany Stevenson, M.A.
Brittany Stevenson, M.A. in Early Education PreK-6 from Old Dominion University, is originally from Hampton Roads, Virginia. Brittany joined the Forty Carrots team in 2015 after relocating to Sarasota. Before moving to Sarasota, Brittany worked on a sailing school ship teaching scuba diving, leadership, seamanship and personal growth to an array of ages from middle school to college students. Through this experience it has enabled Brittany to bring new and exciting ways to discover and explore concepts inside and out of the classroom. Brittany looks forward to making a connection with each child and family and helping the children develop lifelong skills and passions that they will carry with them in their future. When not at Forty Carrots Brittany enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, her daughter and two dogs.
Amanda Walker., M.A.
M.A. in Psychology, Elementary Education (K-6), Certified Elementary K-6 and VPK, Management and HR Training and Development. Amanda joined the Forty Carrots staff in 2005 and has enjoyed teaching in the Charlie, Dart and Davis rooms. She has also taught kindergarten and middle school science. Prior to working at Forty Carrots, Amanda worked as a caregiver for special needs preschoolers. When Amanda is not at Forty Carrots she enjoys cooking, traveling, swimming and spending time with her two school-age daughters.
Ashleigh James
Ashleigh James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Master’s degrees in Elementary Education as well as Educational Administration, and is a certified teacher in Florida and Pennsylvania. She is originally from Upstate New York but has lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia and spent a year living abroad in Malaysia. She has experience teaching elementary age students, has worked as a teacher support specialist, and is a professional development writer and instructional designer. Ashleigh became familiar with the Forty Carrots Partners in Play library program in 2012 when she started taking her daughter to the weekly classes. She joined the Forty Carrots Preschool team in 2019 as a substitute educator and started as the science teacher a few months later. Ashleigh looks forward to engaging the children at Forty Carrots in the Science Lab by creating lessons that will foster their natural curiosity and sense of wonder about science. Ashleigh, her husband, and her daughter love Disney and enjoy traveling, shell hunting, and observing sea life at our local beaches.
Ashlyn Wallace, B.S.
My name is Ashlyn Wallace and I studied at The Florida State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Sciences. Last year, I attended the University of South Florida and received a graduate certification focused in Infant Family Mental Health. I was raised in Sarasota, Florida and have been teaching since I graduated undergrad in 2014.
Growing up I was a competitive gymnast, so I am always looking for opportunities to incorporate movement through learning. I have also been focusing on the benefits of Conscious Discipline in the classroom– especially the opportunity to teach critical life skills while responding to daily conflicts. My classroom goals are to create a connection with each child and to foster bonds between the children to promote our classroom family.
Jaana Swanson, B.S.
B.S. in Sociology from Northern Arizona University. Currently enrolled in M.A. Human Development program at Pacific Oaks College. Jaana began her career in early childhood in her hometown of San Francisco in 1990 and has taught in many schools in California After moving to Sarasota in 2003, she taught at Children First, Swiss Day Preschool and now at Forty Carrots in the Dart room. Jaana is passionate about teaching in early childhood because it is the beginning of a lifetime of learning. She enjoys creating an environment that is inclusive and child centered with an emphasis on building relationships that bridges home and school together for families. When Jaana is not at Forty Carrots she enjoys being with her husband and daughter or traveling to visit family and friends.
Kaitlin Chapman
My name is Kaitlin Chapman. I was born and raised in Sarasota and can be found anywhere by the water in my free time. I recently graduated from the University of Central Florida with my Bachelors of Science in Early Child Development and Education. I am excited to be in the classroom this year and with the Forty Carrots family. My dream has always been to provide children a safe space to learn, grow, be curious, and build a strong sense of family. I’m compassionate about the importance of acknowledging feelings no matter what they are. When we are loved where we are at, the best learning takes place. I am always finding the positive approach to life and learning.
Lana Vassilieva, B.A.
Lana, B.A. in Education from the National University of Kiev, Ukraine and a Certificate in Early Childhood Education. She joined Forty Carrots Family Center in Spring 2017. While teaching, she likes to incorporate multicultural diversity and positive attitudes towards our differences through active engagement, communication and play. When not at Forty Carrots, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends reading, traveling, and exercising her mind, body and soul.
Lauren Schuth, B.S.
Lauren joins our team with a B.S in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida and has been teaching at Forty Carrots since 2009. She has taught children from Pre-K through 3rd grade over the past 15 years. Teaching is her passion, ever since she used to ‘play teacher’ as a child. She loves to get messy in art, have fun, incorporate music, read stories, and keep children engaged while learning through play! Her everyday goals in the classroom are to keep the children challenged and involved, while still maintaining a fun and entertaining learning environment.
Lisa Roseman, B.S.
My name is Lisa Roseman. My husband and I relocated to Lakewood Ranch from Chicago. I graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Studies and hold my Elementary Teaching certificate in grades K-9. I have taught first grade, substituted in grades K -4, and worked as a one on one assistant. Since 2006, I’ve taught 2’s, 3’s and Pre-K. I have a passion for teaching Early Childhood and love watching my students learn and grow throughout the years. I have two college age sons who attend the University of Missouri, and a tiny parakeet naked Blu. I am extremely excited to join the Forty Carrots Family.
Molly Bowbeer, B.F.A.
Molly Bowbeer, B.F.A. in dance has recently joined the Forty Carrots family in the Charlie classroom. She was born and raised in Bloomingdale, NJ where she studied dance from the age of 5. At the age of 13 she performed professionally with the touring show of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show. She continued on to study dance, multimedia, and theater arts at the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. She then earned her degree from the Rutgers State University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. She recently completed an Infant/Toddler Certificate from Florida Gateway College and is actively pursuing a master’s degree in early childhood education. Molly has worked with children for over ten years as a dance instructor and a program/operations director for children’s camp programs. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and her daughter.
Susan Goodhue
Susan Goodhue earned a BSW from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. Susan was born and raised in Manatee County, after high school she was looking for a change in scenery and chose to head to New England for college. Upon graduation in 2003, she returned home and worked for several years in Child Welfare, both in child abuse investigations and licensing foster homes. She began working on her MSW in 2008 (still work in progress). Her husband’s job took her to Philadelphia for 6 years, Maryland for 3 years and South Florida for 2 years. After many years of being a stay-at-home parent (and moving!), a chance to teach a 2 year-old class at a preschool in Boca Raton presented itself, and she quickly fell in love with Early Childhood Education. Life finally brought Susan and her family (husband, son and daughter) back to the area in the fall of 2020. They could not be happier to call Lakewood Ranch their permanent home. Susan looks forward to many happy years at Forty Carrots.
Therese Bonasera, B.S.
Therese earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Florida. After having taught preschool in her native Sweden, Therese joined the Forty Carrots team in 2010. She has taught in the Dart, Charlie and the Grace classrooms (2-, 3- and 4-year-old). In the classroom she likes to incorporate her love for music, reading books and cooking while creating fun hands-on learning experiences.
When not at Forty Carrots, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young boys.
Trish Youssef, B.A.
B.A. in Elementary Education from Elon University in North Carolina. She joined the Forty Carrots in Spring 2014. Prior to that she was home with her twin boys for six years and worked part time as an aide at their preschool. Her background includes work in the fields of elementary education, early childhood development, child protection, and adult education. She loves working with children and enjoys seeing them learn and grow through a variety of experiences including play, exploration and creativity. When she is not at Forty Carrots, Trish loves spending time with her family, reading, crafting, cooking and walking.
Vivi Badillo
Hi my name is Vivi Badillo. I graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor Degree in Sociology in 2018. I recently moved to sunny Venice this summer. I have worked in childcare in South Florida for 8 years as a 1st grade after-care counselor and as a Pre-K assistant. I found my passion for teaching in early childhood because of how curious and willing the children are to learn at such a young age. When I am not at Forty Carrots, I love snuggling with my recuse dog, Luna and relaxing by the beach.