Meet The Parenting Educators

 

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Betsy Kane-Hartnett, oversees all aspects of Forty Carrots Family Center. Betsy, B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies and a M.A. in Curriculum Design, is an early childhood specialist.

 

Parenting Program Director: Christina Rodrigues, M.S. in Education with specialization in Early Literacy, has been part of Forty Carrots since 1998. As a Parenting Educator, her primary focus became at-risk parenting groups, facilitating parenting education classes at Cyesis Teen Parent Program in Sarasota and for families in the judicial system. Christina helped initiate parenting groups at Janie Poe Sarasota Housing Project, Children First, and Cyesis at North Port High School. Today, as Parenting Program Director, she is responsible for the On Wheels Community Outreach Parenting Program and the Parenting Center at the Kane Campus. Christina continues to show her passion for her work, supporting families in the community and a talented group of Parenting Educators.

 

Alison, B.A., in Humanities, with a major in Literature and History of Art. She joined us in 1998 as a Parenting Educator and currently leads Studio 40 classes, Welcome to Our World newborn parenting classes and Partners In Play (PIP) play and learn groups, in various library locations. Alison has a post graduate certificate in Education and has taught elementary school in the U.K. Her first encounter with Forty Carrots was when she participated in our play groups as a mother with her children. 

 

Elizabeth, B.A., in Fine Arts, began in 2002 as a Parenting Educator. She came to Forty Carrots with a background in elementary and middle school education. Elizabeth facilitates Talk & Play (TAP) classes for toddlers families at the Parenting Center and Partners In Play (PIP) classes at two different library locations. Elizabeth co-facilitate at-risk groups at Cyesis Teen Parent Program at Riverview High School and North Port High School.

 

Heather, M.A., in Community Counseling, BS in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies. She is certified as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and is licensed by the state of North Carolina as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Her prior experience comes from private practice providing individual and family therapy for all ages. She joined our group of Parenting Educators in 2010 and co-facilitates parenting classes at Cyesis at North Port High School and at our newest outreach location, at SPARCC Shelter Program. Heather also leads Partners In Play parenting education classes at various libraries and in the Parenting Center. 

 

Meredith, M.S.W., in Social Work and a B.A. in Human Development.  She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida and Louisiana (LCSW).  Her prior experience comes from working with infants, young children, and their families in clinical settings in Washington, D.C. and Baton Rouge, LA.  Meredith recently worked as an Infant Health Clinician in Louisiana and maintained a private practice working with families and children from infancy to adolescence.  Meredith moved back to Sarasota in January 2011 with her family and is joining Forty Carrots and a parenting educator, co-facilitating classes at various libraries and Partners In Play groups for families of toddlers and twos at the Parenting Center. 

 

Nikki, B.S., in Special Education & B.S. in Occupational Therapy, worked at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital as an Occupational Therapist. Her first experience with Forty Carrots was as a mother attending parenting classes with her children in 2002. She became a Certified Car Seat Technician through National Highway Transportation Safety Association and in 2004 initiated the Car Seat Check Program at Forty Carrots as a volunteer. Nikki joined us as a Parenting Educator in 2010, leading Studio 40 classes, Welcome to Our World newborn group and PIP at North Port and Elise Quirk libraries.

 

Rebecca, M.A., in Psychology has been a Parenting Educator since 2006. Most recently, Rebecca launched our Forty Carrots Facebook page. She completed the Infant Mental Health training based out of New York City and initiated the Infant Mental Health Program at Cyesis in Sarasota with the mothers and their babies.   Rebecca facilitates parenting education groups at First Step Mothers and Infants Program, SOLVE Maternity Homes at Manatee County, and Riverview High School with the Cyesis Teen Program and at SPARCC.  Her latest training includes The Happiest Baby on the Block Certification.

 

Wendy, M.S., PreK/Primary Education; B.S. in Communication, joined Forty Carrots family with her two boys when they attended parenting education classes and later on attended the Preschool. She began working as a Parenting Educator in 2008. Wendy co-facilitates Talk & Play (TAP) classes at First Step, SOLVE Maternity Homes, and North Port High School with the Cyesis Program for teen parents and their children. In addition, she leads Partners In Play (PIP) classes at the Parenting Center for families of toddlers and twos. Prior to starting a family, Wendy taught Kindergarten in Sarasota County.  Most recently, Wendy completed the certification with The Happiest Baby on the Block.

 

Here's what one parent says about the educators: "The tone and attitude is always positive. The staff truly seems to take pride in their work. They are an important part of the program."