Meet the Carrot Patch Teachers!
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Lori C., B.A., M.A.
DIRECTOR Holding both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Connecticut, Lori has been an integral part of the Carrot Patch for over a decade. Including her many years of experience working with toddlers and preschoolers prior to her tenure here, she brings a depth of knowledge, experience, and compassion enabling her to support and inspire the entire CP community. Lori is warm, energetic and dedicated--job requirements not only for our administrator, but for the mother of her three active teenage boys! |
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Emily B., B.A.
Classroom Teacher, Infants Soft-spoken Emily strikes the perfect note in "babyland," where her unfailingly calm and warm demeanor creates a welcome home away from home for our little ones. Emily holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University, and her focus on child development is a perfect foundation for her work in the infant room. She provides a wealth of music, movement, exploration of art and sensory materials, and age-appropriate exploration of "loose parts." Emily has been our "baby whisperer" from our earliest days! |
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Sophia G., B.A.
Classroom Teacher, Toddlers Sophia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of Vermont. Since her graduation Sophia has worked with students from preschool through college, with a focus on disabled and at-risk populations. Those with older children may have met Miss Sophia when she was a kindergarten paraprofessional at Hamden’s Dunbar Hill School. She has also served as a lifeguard and swim instructor for young children in the area. She’s extremely excited to return to CP after her recent maternity leave, and has brought her daughter along too! Congrats on the new addition! |
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Michelle H., B.A.
Classroom Teacher, Toddlers Michelle is a recent graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is looking forward to starting her Master’s program in Education in the upcoming year. Michelle has worked with various age groups, but her favorite is working with transitional toddlers and experiencing their personalities and independence developing more each day. |
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Ashley I., B.S.
Classroom Teacher, Infants/Toddlers Ashley received her Associates Degree in Human Services, and her Bachelors Degree in Child Development and Family Studies from SUNY Oneonta. After graduating in 2017, she spent several years as a toddler teacher in Wilton CT. Growing up on Long Island, Ashley spent her days at the beach and hiking with her dog, exploring nature. Her teaching style reflects H. Bennett's philosophy, “Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them.” |
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Angie M., A.S., B.S. candidate
Classroom Teacher, Infants/Toddlers Angie holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently completing dual Bachelor's Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Environmental Science at Southern Connecticut State University. She has been working in the field of Early Childhood Education for the last eight years. Prior to joining the CP team, she worked with diverse families and children from birth to five years old as well as serving as an early learning center site manager. She draws from her study abroad and field experiences to advocate for families, support child development, and encourage environmental stewardship. |
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Emilie S., B.S.
Classroom Teacher, Preschool Emilie is a recent graduate from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. Throughout her life, and especially in her college career, she has found a love for working with children and educating them about the environment. Through the SMILE program at URI, which teaches STEM subjects to inner-city children, Emilie found a passion for environmental education. With years of experience as a camper, counselor and coordinator she has learned the ins and outs of making outdoor education fun through songs, games and crafts. Her enthusiastic and compassionate demeanor is sure to get the children excited to learn, while also feeling safe and supported to be themselves. |
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Brenda S., B.S.
Classroom Teacher, Preschool Brenda earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education at Green Mountain College (one of the country's top sustainability colleges) in Poultney, Vermont. She has a strong background in nature and the environment, including a year-long preschool internship and several summers working with young children all prior to joining the Carrot Patch several years ago. Brenda's unique experience has made her the ideal leader of our outdoor-focused preschool program. |
PART-TIME STAFF:
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Katie S., B.S. candidate
Katie is working toward her Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at Quinnipiac University, where she is president of the BNS Club. She volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of New Haven, and has taught religious education at her Pottstown, PA church. She studied ballet as well as vocal and instrumental music, and brings her enthusiasm for work with young children each day to the Patch! |
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Justine W., B.A candidate
Justine is currently a senior at Southern Connecticut State University where she is pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Special Education. She already has many years of experience working with children at early learning centers and as a babysitter/nanny. Justine enjoys doing yoga and spending time in the sunshine. She is so happy to be a part of the Carrot Patch family! |
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JANICE ROMO, B.S., M.S., 6th Year Certificate in School Administration
Education Consultant
Jan Romo's educational career spans well over 40 years. Her training took place at both SCSU in New Haven and Bank Street College of Education in New York City. She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Early Childhood Education and later her 6th Year Certification in School Administration and Supervision. She has been mentored and inspired by some of the 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'. 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 effected its 700 children.
After 29 years at West Hills, she was appointed Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, overseeing over 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 led the city 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 select area preschool programs. She served a two-year term as co-president of NHAEYC (the New Haven Chapter of the Association for the Education of Young Children), having formerly served two years as co-chair of the program committee.
Jan has been our Education Consultant, Mentor, and Guiding Light from the inception of our program. When we opened the Cheshire Nursery School in the fall of 2006 she took the helm as Director until she retired (again!) in 2016. She continues to work closely with the teachers in both of our schools, and is always willing to share her expertise with staff, administrators and parents. She can also be seen teaching Spanish, singing songs, reading books, or doing a special science project in one of our classrooms. We consider ourselves truly lucky to have Jan on our side, and she has truly been the inspiration for making our programs such a success!
Education Consultant
Jan Romo's educational career spans well over 40 years. Her training took place at both SCSU in New Haven and Bank Street College of Education in New York City. She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Early Childhood Education and later her 6th Year Certification in School Administration and Supervision. She has been mentored and inspired by some of the 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'. 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 effected its 700 children.
After 29 years at West Hills, she was appointed Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, overseeing over 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 led the city 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 select area preschool programs. She served a two-year term as co-president of NHAEYC (the New Haven Chapter of the Association for the Education of Young Children), having formerly served two years as co-chair of the program committee.
Jan has been our Education Consultant, Mentor, and Guiding Light from the inception of our program. When we opened the Cheshire Nursery School in the fall of 2006 she took the helm as Director until she retired (again!) in 2016. She continues to work closely with the teachers in both of our schools, and is always willing to share her expertise with staff, administrators and parents. She can also be seen teaching Spanish, singing songs, reading books, or doing a special science project in one of our classrooms. We consider ourselves truly lucky to have Jan on our side, and she has truly been the inspiration for making our programs such a success!