PARENTING EDUCATION
STAFF
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Parenting Education Staff
Laura Josephson, M.A.T
Parenting Education Director
Laura Josephson, M.A., 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 2013 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. Laura’s most recent accomplishment has been her Level One and Level Two Professional Certification in Trauma and Resilience from Florida State University and she received a Professional Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida Corporate Training and Professional Education in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace. She is a registered Circle of Security® Parenting provider and has a Florida Child Care and Education Program Director Credential.
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, M.S.
Alissa joins our team with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and M.S. 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 in the Parenting Center at Forty Carrots and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties. In addition, Alissa is a registered Circle of Security® Parenting provider.
Amy, M.A.
Amy joined our program with a M.A. in Educational Leadership and a B.A. in Elementary and Special Education. She has a well-established history in the Sarasota Community where she has worked as a Teacher, and Exceptional Student Liaison for over 15 years. Amy was the facilitator of the schoolwide Children at Risk education Process (CARE). She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator. She co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties, weekly parenting education groups at the CYESIS Teen Parent Program at North Port High Schools and at the Teenage Parenting Program (TAPP) in Manatee County and parenting education groups at The Salvation Army.
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 Lightshare 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.
Lina, MSSW
Lina joins our team holding both a M.A. in Child and Youth Studies and a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from Sweden. Lina has 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 volunteered 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 and co-facilitates weekly parenting education groups at the CYESIS Teen Parent Program at North Port and Riverview High Schools and at the Teenage Parenting Program (TAPP) in Manatee County. In addition, she facilitates groups and consultations with the Childhood Cancer. Furthermore, Lina also serves as the Resource Coordinator, directly managing all the referrals through initiatives such as the First 1,000 Days Suncoast and Whole Child Manatee. Lina is a certified Circle of Security® and A Window Between Worlds facilitator.
Lisa, B.A.
Lisa joined our team with a B.A. in Musical Theater and Special Education from SUNY New Paltz. She began her professional career as a special education teacher in the elementary school setting. After dedicating several years to raising a family as a stay-at-home mom, she reengaged in the workforce and has extensive volunteer resume. She has supported various educational initiatives working with preschool through middle school aged children, fostered community connections, and has made a positive impact while volunteering with the local foodbank. She joins the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator. She co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Lisa, B.S.
Lisa joined our team with a B. S. in Child and Family Science from Florida State University. She began her professional career as an educator in the k-12 population. Since then, she has worked as child welfare case manager supporting and empowering our most at-risk population. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator co-facilitating Partners In Play® and Welcome To Our World ® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Marci, M.A.
Marci joined our team with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s in Education, specializing in students with Disabilities. She has a certification in Social-Emotional Learning and Character Education and a certification in Meditation and Mindfulness. She has been a dedicated teacher with over 11 years’ experience in elementary schools working with students in grades K-4 within a variety of classroom settings. In 2018-2019 she earned the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award in her former school district. Marci 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, Welcome to Our World® In-House in the Parenting Center, and Circle of Security Groups In-house and at Lightshare Mothers & Infants Program. She is also the face behind Forty Carrots Facebook/Instagram pages, and author behind the weekly Monday Message e-mails, keeping families and professionals informed with all things Forty Carrots and the latest research in child development and parenting education. Marci is a registered Circle of Security® provider.
Michelle, B.S.
Michelle joined our team with a B. S. in Psychology from AGM University (Ana G Mendez University) in Tampa. She began her professional career as a family support worker providing parenting education through a home visiting program. Since then, Michelle has worked for over 10 years supporting families in diverse family systems with case management, community referrals, parenting education, and so much more. She joined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator co-facilitating Partners In Play® and Welcome To Our World ® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Michelle is a trained Parents as Teachers® facilitator.
Molly, B.S.
Molly joined our team with a B. S. in Psychology from the University of South Florida. Molly began her professional career as a Preschool Educator and Parenting Educator at Forty Carrots before venturing into the corporate environment. Molly has a long history working and understanding the nature of agencies with visions to support the larger community of young children and families. She rejoined the Parenting Program as a Parenting Educator. She co-facilitates Partners In Play® and Welcome To Our World ® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties and Parenting Education groups at Harvest House. Molly is a registered Circle of Security® provider.
Sarah, M. Ed.
Sarah joined our team with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Reading Education. She has been a dedicated teacher with over 15 years’ experience in elementary schools working with students in grades K-5 within a variety of classroom settings. In 2022 she began her Master in Social Work degree (MSW) through Florida State University. Sarah joined the Parenting Program initially as an intern to learn about our services and then as a Parenting Educator and co-facilitates Partners In Play® parenting education groups at various library locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Stacy, M.A.
Stacy has a master’s in social work from the University of Alabama. She joined Forty Carrots with a rich background in advocating for children and families in the child welfare system. In addition, she provided in-home therapeutic services to support family systems to increase positive outcomes for children. As a Parenting Educator with Forty Carrots, she 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, MSW
Tesha joined our team with a BA in Social Sciences/Psychology and a 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, Lightshare Mothers & Infants program, and at Forty Carrots. In addition, she is a Window Between Worlds facilitator. Tesha also works individually with children, adolescents, and families in the Therapy Department as a registered Clinical Social Work Intern.
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. Wendy is also the Circle of Security Program Coordinator. Wendy co-facilitates weekly parenting education groups at Lightshare Mothers & Infants Program, SOLVE Maternity Homes, the CYESIS Teen Parent Program at Riverview High Schools, Lightshare CORT and Circle of Security programs individually and in groups. In 2017, she completed her Infant Family Mental Health Graduate Certificate from USF.