Meet the Carrot Patch Teachers!

Erin Bonini, B.A., M.S. (Miss Erin)

CT-Certified K-6 Teacher

Head Classroom Teacher, Preschool and Pre-K Academy

Erin holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University. She taught the Preschool class here at the Carrot Patch for several years, as well as heading up the teaching staff at the former Carrot Patch Annex, before taking a teaching position in the Wallingford Public School District for a year. She came back to take the helm of our Infant program for the 2010-2011 school year, and we now welcome her back to the age group she loves best!

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Sarah Bozzuto, B.A., M.S. (Miss Sarah)

CT-Certified K-6 Teacher

Head Classroom Teacher, Toddlers

One of our all-time favorite head teachers, Sarah returned to the Carrot Patch after a year teaching in the public schools. Sarah, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Elementary Education from SCSU, brings a wealth of experience with young children. She worked with infants through preschoolers at a local program for several years before joining the Carrot Patch staff as one of our original three teachers. Sarah brings her boundless energy and enthusiasm back to the Patch to enliven our toddler class!

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Emily Cline, B.A. (Miss Emily)

CT-Certified K-6 Teacher

Head Classroom Teacher, Infants

Calm, soft-spoken Emily strikes the perfect note in "babyland," where her unfailingly warm demeanor creates a welcome respite for our little ones. Emily holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from SCSU, and her focus on child development is a perfect foundation for her work in the infant room.

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Lauren Henderson, B.S. (Miss Lauren)

Head Classroom Teacher, Toddlers

Lauren joined the toddler program at the Carrot Patch in September 2008, having married and moved to Hamden from Tallahassee, Florida. She holds a bachelor's degree in Family and Child Sciences, and has worked with young children for several years in a number of settings, including time spent working with underprivileged kids in Costa Rica. Her soft yet firm Southern charm seems to bewitch the little ones in her care!

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Melissa Johnson, B.S. (Miss Melissa)

MA-Certified PreK-2 Teacher, CT-Certified PreK-3 Teacher

Head Classroom Teacher, Transitional Toddlers

Melissa earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education at Worcester State University. Since then she has received her teaching certification for both Massachusetts and Connecticut. After completing her student teaching in a nursery school and a first grade classroom, she brought her sweet nature and love of the youngest learners to the infant staff here at the Patch. After a year with the babies, she is taking on the lead role in our newest transitional toddler class.

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Audrey Meyers, B.S. (Miss Audrey)

Classroom Teacher, Toddlers

Audrey brings her interests in nutrition and children's recreation to the classroom, having received her bachelor's degree from SCSU in those areas. She is also currently pursuing advanced certification in nutrition studies. She has served as a senior camp counselor at YMCA camps Mountain Laurel in Hamden and Camp Graylock in Burlington, Vermont. She taught rock climbing and other active ventures to special needs children for the Wallingford Parks and Recreation Department. She spent one year in the Carrot Patch preschool program, but really found her calling in the toddler program where she's excelled over the last few years.

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Suzanne Trexler, A.A., B.A. candidate (Miss Susi)

Classroom Teacher, Infants

Susi is a nurturing, warm, and creative addition to our infant staff. She holds an associate's degree in English and French from a college in Austin, Texas where she lived for several years. She has taught performing arts, and worked with children in summer camps and after-school programs.

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Caitlin (Dell) Iannucci, B.A., M.A.A.T. (Miss Cait)

Part-Time Classroom Teacher, Preschool

We are very excited to welcome everyone's favorite Miss Cait back to the Patch after taking a year off to work as an Art Therapist for the New London Public Schools. Miss Cait has a wealth of experience with young children, and her creative approach to teaching is a delight to behold! Miss Cait will be spending four afternoons a week in the preschool, and will be seeing clients as an Art Therapist in a private practice in Milford on Fridays.

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Meghan McCool, B.A. candidate (Miss Meghan)

Part-Time Classroom Teacher, Preschool

Meghan has several years of coaching experience in girls volleyball, and has worked with our preschoolers every afternoon for several years while attending school. Meghan brings to the classroom her natural chemistry with children and maturity beyond her years. Miss Meghan works with our preschoolers part-time during the school year, and while on her summer break takes on the role of full-time Assistant Teacher with the class she has come to know so well!

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Stephanie Perrotti, B.A. (Miss Stephanie)

Part-Time Classroom Teacher, Transitional Toddlers

Stephanie has recently earned her Bachelor's Degree in English from SCSU and is working toward her Editor certification in New York. She loves children and has been a Red Cross certified babysitter since she was 12 years old. As a "third year" at the Patch, Stephanie has proven herself an important member of the Transitional Toddler team.

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Kristina Smith, B.A. candidate (Miss Kristina)

Part-Time Classroom Teacher, Toddlers

Hailing from East Hampton, Kristina is currently a design student at the University of New Haven. She has experience in a Toddler classroom, and now brings her upbeat personality and warmth to the Toddler program here at the Patch.

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Lauren Thiele, B.A., M.A. candidate (Miss Lauren)

Part-Time Classroom Teacher, Toddlers

Lauren has been teaching young children in various early learning programs both in Vermont and Connecticut since 1999, and here at the Carrot Patch since 2008. She is currently working toward her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University so she will have the opportunity to enrich children's lives in an even more profound way.

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JANICE ROMO, B.S., M.S., 6th Year Certificate in Administration (Miss Jan)

Education Consultant & Staff Developer

Jan Romo's educational career spans over 35 years. Her training background took place at both SCSU in New Haven and Bank Street College of Education in NYC. She received her B.S. & M.S. in Early Childhood Education and later her 6th Year Certification in Administration and Supervision. She has been mentored and inspired by some of our top educational leaders in the field.

Jan began her teaching career in 1970 as a first grade teacher. For nine years she enjoyed teaching both first grade and Kindergarten at the West Hills Magnet School, New Haven's first experimental program bringing Hamden and New Haven children together for instruction.

With its gradual expansion to a K-8 program, Jan's role shifted to Staff Developer where she became a 'teacher of teachers' for 13 years. She was responsible for the development and assessment of the school's core curriculum. Her active involvement with this "community of learners" brought yet another shift. She became the West Hills K-8 principal and was honored to work even more closely with all the components that affected its 700 children.

After 29 years at West Hills, she was appointed to Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, overseeing 4,000+ New Haven Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Her work broadened, yet brought her back to her Early Childhood roots. Involved with writing curriculum standards and a wide variety of School Readiness & Head Start initiatives, Jan was able to lead the city for three years in truly appreciating how important developmentally-appropriate early learning is, starting with its very youngest students--infants & toddlers.

After "retiring", Jan moved on to an adjunct professorship at SCSU, teaching "Integrated Curriculum for Pre-K & Kindergarten" and working as an educational consultant in area nursery school programs. She recently completed a two-year term as co-president of NHAEYC (the New Haven Chapter of the Association of the Education of Young Children), having formerly served two years as co-chair of the program committee.

We are lucky to have Jan as our Educational Consultant and Staff Developer, where she can work closely with the Carrot Patch staff, parents and management.