PRESCHOOL
EDUCATORS
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Preschool Educators
Molly Bowbeer, M.Ed.
Preschool Director
Molly Bowbeer holds a B.F.A. in Dance and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Educational Leadership. As Preschool Director, Molly leads a team of dedicated educators in creating a warm, engaging environment that fosters social-emotional development and a lifelong love of learning. A valued member of the Forty Carrots team for several years, Molly began her journey working with the two-year-olds in the Charlie classroom and the three-year-olds in the Davis classroom. Originally from New Jersey, Molly began dancing at the age of five. By thirteen, she was performing professionally with the touring production of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. She later studied dance, multimedia, and theater arts at the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts before earning her degree from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. In 2023, she completed her master’s degree at the University of North Florida, specializing in Early Childhood Education and School Leadership. With over a decade of experience working with children, Molly has served as both a dance instructor and a program and operations director for different programs. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter.
Carmen
Carmen joined the Forty Carrots Preschool staff as an educator in January of 2025. Carmen is a Native South American from Lima Peru. After high school she attended the Ricardo Palma University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In 1994, she permanently moved to Sarasota and began work taking care of elderly and small children. A little while later, Carmen took a position as an assistant teacher in a small preschool. During that time, she attended the Sarasota County Technical Institute and earned a Child Development (CD) license. She has also received formal training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABS). Carmen has worked with young children from birth to first grade in public and private settings and also homeschooled children with autism. For nine years before coming to Forty Carrots, Carmen worked as a lead classroom teacher with two-year-olds. Carmen explains, “I love teaching and guiding the young because they are little teachers themselves, and their world is full of wonder. I am passionate about having a nurturing environment where children can thrive and develop love for learning and making friendships.” In her free time, Carmen enjoys doing different projects at home with her husband and two daughters.
Cristina, B.A.
Cristina joined the Forty Carrots team as a Preschool Educator in 2025. Cristina loves children and seeing them blossom, uses mindfulness and nurturing approaches at home with her 3-year-old daughter, and has spent much of her time researching childhood development and implementing positive discipline and education through healthy coping mechanisms. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from John Jay College in New York City, Cristina is now pursuing her Master’s in Early Childhood Education, further honing her skills to create meaningful learning experiences for the students of Forty Carrots. As a certified yoga teacher, Cristina loves integrating mindfulness and movement into her teaching. She helps children develop emotional regulation through practices like recognizing feelings, breathing exercises, sensory stimulation and yoga. She was born in Ecuador and loves to incorporate Spanish into her teachings. In her free time, Cristina enjoys running, yoga, cooking, reading, and spending quality time with her family, including her beloved cat.
Grace
Grace joined Forty Carrots as a Preschool Floater in 2025 and loves working with young children. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders from the University of Central Florida. While studying at UCF, she worked in early childhood education at the UCF Creative School for Children. Grace aspires to be a Speech Language Pathologist and enjoys helping young children find their voice and be able to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and needs. Grace is native to Sarasota, and attended Phillippi Shores, Pine View, and Riverview High School’s IB Program. An animal lover from a very young age, Grace grew up with dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, and a sugar glider! In her free time, she enjoys babysitting, spending time with her family and friends, the beach, attending concerts, floating rivers in the west, and traveling both domestically and abroad.
Grace
Grace has joined the Forty Carrots team as a Preschool Educator. Grace earned her Bachelor of Science in both Child Learning and Development and Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas. Grace also earned her Elementary Education Certification from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. She has over 10 years of experience working with children from infancy through 14. Grace has a passion for helping children grow in all areas of their lives while working together in a positive, loving, and safe environment.
Ida
Ida has joined the Forty Carrots team as a Preschool Educator. Ida has taught preschool for over twenty-five years and is currently continuing her education in Early Childhood to go along with her CDA credentials, director’s credentials, and DCF training. Ida is originally from Puerto Rico and moved to Georgia at four years old and speaks fluent Spanish and uses it at times to teach children.
Indu, B.A., M.A.
Indu has joined the Forty Carrots Preschool team as a Floater. Indu is originally from Delhi, India, and relocated to the Sarasota area with her husband and two children. She holds a bachelor’s in education from the Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, India. She obtained her master’s in English literature from the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Agra, India. Prior to joining Forty Carrots Preschool, Indu served two years as a Primary Teacher for preschool through first grade students. She is passionate about encouraging classroom participation to create an engaging educational experience. When not in the classroom, Indu enjoys traveling and exploring new things.
Jaana, 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.
Jean
Jean earned her B.A. degree in Elementary Education from The University of South Florida and is also certified in Early Childhood Education. She joined the staff at Forty Carrots after teaching kindergarten, first grade, and VPK in Manatee County for many years. Jean has been involved with Forty Carrots for the last seven years as a proud grandmother of three grandchildren who have been students at the Preschool. Now, as a teacher at Forty Carrots, she is able to show her love for learning and teaching through hands on activities and play. Jean has also written and published a book for teachers to help teach children about tolerance and understanding. When not at Forty Carrots, Jean enjoys playing with her grandchildren and taking long walks.
Jenn
Ms. Jenn has 31 years of experience in early childhood education, working primarily as a Special Education Preschool Educator in Massachusetts. Jenn received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a master’s degree in special education from Fitchburg State. This year, Ms. Jenn started out as a floater and ended the year in Chadwick as a co-teacher with Ms. Vivi.
Karelia
Karelia joined Forty Carrots in 2022, bringing with her 29 years of teaching experience in both preschool and elementary education. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Early Childhood from Florida Southern College and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Alabama. Her career has taken her around the world, having taught in international schools in Lima, Peru; Asuncion, Paraguay; Miami, Florida; and Washington, D.C. Karelia and her family moved to Sarasota in 2022 for her husband’s work, and she has been grateful to continue doing what she loves—working with young children and supporting their development. Karelia is passionate about early childhood education and deeply interested in child development. She also has experience with the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which has enriched her teaching approach and deepened her connection with children’s learning processes. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her energetic border collie, Leo, practicing yoga, and staying active. She is also a proud mother of two grown children: her daughter Annelisse, who lives in Miami, and her son Rafael, currently attending college in Boston.
Kayla
Kayla earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida Atlantic University in 2016 and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Education in School Counseling in 2020. Before joining the Forty Carrots family, she worked as a school counselor, supporting students and helping them build strong social–emotional foundations. She prides herself on fostering an inclusive and safe environment where young children can grow, explore, and gain confidence. Having recently moved from South Florida, she is eager to engage with the Sarasota community and build strong partnerships with our families. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, watching football with her family, and traveling.
Lana, 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, 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, B.S.
My name is Lisa. 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.
Noelle
Noelle has joined the Forty Carrots team as a Preschool Educator. Noelle will be starting in the Davis class this year. She has been an Early Childhood Educator for over twenty years and worked with children ranging from six weeks to 5 years. Noelle has her associate’s degree in early childhood education and plans to continue her education this upcoming year. Noelle is excited this year to create a fun and creative environment where children can feel safe to express themselves, build confidence as well as have a love for learning.
Rashalla
Rashalla, Early childhood credential, has recently joined the Forty Carrots family in the Charlie Classroom. She was born and raised in Sarasota FL, moving to Central Florida residing there for 11yrs, returning to her hometown in 2018. She has a background in special education for 4 years. She is a mother of two children, daughter who has Autism 15 and son aged 12. Rashalla has over 10 years’ experience in early childhood, 8 of the 10 years in VPK. Rashalla enjoys spending time with her children and reading.
Savannah
Savannah earned her M.S. in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University with a specialization in Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Settings and her B.A. in Psychology, Sociology, and Social & Criminal Justice from Coe College. She holds both her Florida Early Childhood Staff Credential and Directors Credential with endorsements in VPK and trauma-informed care. She also holds a micro-credential in Emergent Literacy. Savannah strives to create a classroom environment where all children feel empowered to fully be themselves as they explore the world around them. She aims to meet children where they are in their development and support their continued growth and accomplishments. Savannah has over five years of experience working with children aged two-years-old to five-years-old. Before starting at Forty Carrots, Savannah taught in an inclusive classroom where she supported both neurotypical and neurodivergent children to prepare for kindergarten. When not at school, Savannah enjoys spending time with her family and pets.
Shelley, B.S.
Shelley is a Sarasota native with a B.S. in Elementary Education from USF and two decades of teaching experience in both elementary and early childhood settings. After becoming certified in Early Childhood Education and having her daughter, Shelley’s focus shifted to preschool, where she spent six years as a lead Pre-K teacher before joining Forty Carrots. Shelley believes that a strong foundation in social-emotional development is key to long-term academic success. She describes her classroom as a safe, supportive space where children are encouraged to take risks, solve problems, and grow at their own pace through differentiated learning. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, planning future travels, spending time with her children and granddaughter, and helping out at her husband’s restaurant.
Therese, 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.
Vivi
Hi my name is Vivi. 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.