Jess Dickey (they/them)

Education Director

Jess has worked in early childhood education since 2012 and is passionate about creating welcoming, engaging environments where children, families, and educators can thrive. They earned their Bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 2015 and their Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College in 2025. Jess believes in meeting children where they are, honoring each child's unique strengths, interests, and developmental journey. Originally from Colorado, they have called Brooklyn home for the past 11 years. Outside of work, Jess enjoys reading, spending weekends at the beach, and exploring their neighborhood. They are excited to bring their experience, warmth, and enthusiasm to their role as Education Director.

Aidan McDougall (she/her)

Lead Teacher

Aidan grew up just outside Washington, D.C. in Takoma Park, Maryland. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Food Systems, as well as a certificate in Place-Based Education from the University of Vermont. Aidan is deeply passionate about connecting children to their local environments, both natural and urban. Over the past three years, she has taught at a forest preschool in Burlington, VT, where guiding children through nature-based play and exploration has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. She is thrilled to bring this passion to Brooklyn and continue fostering children's curiosity about the world around them at Wonderforest Nature Preschool. Outside of work, Aidan enjoys walking her dog, reading, knitting, biking, and gardening. She’s also an avid cook and baker, particularly fond of using homegrown or foraged ingredients in her creations.

Amaia Aguirre Jimenez (she/her)

Floating Teacher & Music Teacher

Amaia is from northern Spain - the Basque Country - and grew up speaking Basque and Spanish. She earned her Master’s degree in Education at the Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU) in Spain. She studied classical piano and guitar at Larrabetzuko Musika Eskola Music Conservatory and Blues & Boogie-Woogie piano at the Blues School of Barcelona. After living in Nashville, TN for 10 years, she moved to New York City where she plays music professionally and teaches private piano students. Amaia has more than a decade of teaching experience, having taught the majority of that time in Montessori, Bilingual and Nature schools. She also has many years of teaching piano. She has always felt a fascination for the educational world and the impact it can have, understanding that its unlimited potential contributes to a more resilient and harmonious world. Amaia is passionate to nurture and encourage the children to help find their inner strengths while respecting and empowering their own idiosyncrasies. She also hopes to expand their love for music, their unlimited skills and their ability to think and reflect for themselves. She has worked at Wonderforest Nature Preschool since April of 2023. 

Ana Antunes (they/them)

Lead Teacher

Ana spent much of their childhood on the sandy shores of Long Island, NY. They graduated from Binghamton University with a B.A. in English Literature and are currently pursuing their MS.Ed. in Early Childhood Education at Brooklyn College. Their love of nature, advocacy and the arts are deeply intertwined. Before joining Wonderforest, Ana worked as a teacher upstate and in Prospect Park with our sister school, Brooklyn Nature Days. Ana’s teaching philosophy emphasizes curiosity, creative expression and community care. They strive to be mindful of and sensitive to every child's unique set of needs as they grow into themselves and the world around them. Outside of teaching, Ana loves to cook, read, draw and spend time in nature with their loved ones. 

Audra Brandt (she/her)

Extended Day Teacher, Storytelling & Puppetry

Audra grew up in Kansas City and has been sharing her passion for art and puppetry with children for over 15 years. She moved to Brooklyn more than a decade ago after receiving a BFA in New Media from the Kansas City Art Institute. As a teaching artist, she has led storytelling and puppetry workshops to people of all ages, and enjoys collaborative projects that bridge generations. In 2015 she co-founded Storycamp—a child-directed summer program combining circus arts, survival skills and storytelling in the woods of Colorado and New Hampshire. Outdoor exploration holds a special place in Audra’s heart, and she firmly believes that taking risks through play is essential for nurturing emotional and physical confidence. With a background as a nanny, she is endlessly inspired by watching young children discover the magic and wonder that lives all around us. When she’s not exploring the great outdoors, you might find her building miniature worlds for stop motion animations, paper-mâchéing wearable puppets, or performing in a monthly haunted bingo night.

Bayla Kolbet (she/her)

Floating Teacher

Bayla was born and raised in New York City and graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Political Science. She currently works with Reading Partners at an elementary school in Bed-Stuy, providing literacy intervention for students reading below grade level. Bayla loves working with kids and finds their natural curiosity and enthusiasm endlessly inspiring.

Her passion for the outdoors runs deep, and she is so excited to spend the summer at Wonderforest sharing her love of the natural world with young campers. Connecting NYC kids with nature is something she feels strongly about — it's exactly the kind of experience she wished she'd had growing up, and she can't wait to help spark that same wonder and curiosity in others. Outside of work, Bayla enjoys knitting, reading, and doing yoga. She is thrilled to be part of the Wonderforest community and can't wait for a year full of exploration, discovery, and fun!

Bec Fenn (they/them)

Assistant Park Trip Leader/ Floating Teacher

Bec is originally from the Bay Area, California, where they developed an appreciation for the natural world through hiking, rock climbing, camping, and spending time outdoors. This love of nature sparked a passion for outdoor and experiential education, leading them to work as an Instructor with New York City Outward Bound Schools in 2016. Bec received their Master of Social Work from Gallaudet University in 2023 and provides Child-Centered Play Therapy and psychotherapy in New York State and California as a Licensed Master Social Worker. 

Over the past ten years, Bec has worked with youth of all ages and backgrounds in outdoor, educational, and therapeutic settings. Bec is especially passionate about early childhood development and the opportunity to teach young people through play, exploration, and meaningful experiences in nature. They value creating environments where young people feel safe, empowered, and free to be themselves.  Bec is excited to continue working with young people and families at Wonderforest this summer. 

Carley Sherwin (she/her)

Assistant Teacher

Carley was born and raised just outside of Middlebury, VT and attended St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Performance & Communication Arts and double minoring in Education and Gender & Sexuality Studies. Growing up amid the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks, Carley has always felt passionate about the environment and the importance of playing outside and getting dirty as a kid and is excited to be able to share her love of the outdoors everyday at Wonderforest! 

For the past three years, Carley taught at a school-based preschool program in Bristol, VT and has been a summer camp counselor in Vermont for the past seven years. She deeply enjoys the love, laughter, and messy memory making of working with the youngest learners and is excited to join the Wonderforest team this year! Outside of teaching, Carley enjoys reading, exploring the city, sewing, playing field hockey, and doing arts and crafts that take way too long! 

Cindy Sanchez (she/her)

Lead Teacher

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Cindy has been working in the early childhood field for the past 11 years, serving children of various backgrounds and ages throughout the city. Cindy loves working with children and seeing their eyes light up with each new discovery. She is currently working towards her bachelor degree in the early childhood education. In her free time she loves spending time with her 2 children, exploring the city and finding new adventures.

D’Ella Brown (she/her)

Floating Teacher

D’Ella was born in Alabama and moved frequently around the south. In every state she made sure to explore the great outdoors with her sisters. Her love of nature followed when she moved to New York city. When her oldest niece was born she lit up her life thus sparking her passion for educating. Passion turned into more when she got to college, realizing that she wanted to help all children. She has been working with elementary school children at an afterschool program for a little over 2 years while obtaining her bachelor’s in early childhood special education. 

Grace Stone (she/her)

Co-Lead Teacher

Originally from Maine, Grace grew up exploring mudflats, searching for sea glass, and lying in mossy forests. She graduated from Barnard College with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, where she researched inequities within nature-based learning in preschool classrooms. Currently, Grace is completing her masters in Early Childhood Education with a certification in Special Education from Teachers College. Grace is passionate about honoring childrens' ways of being, where time in nature enables children to explore sensorially, messily, and wholeheartedly without a pre-determined agenda telling them how to experience the world. Grace has worked with children in inquiry-based, play-based, and outdoor settings at Brooklyn Nature Days, in Manhattan, and in Burlington, Vermont, and is thrilled to continue learning from children this year at Wonder Forest.

In her free time, Grace can be found cooking for friends, biking around Brooklyn, and tending to her fire escape garden.

 Harry Vartorella (he/him)

Floating Teacher / Extended Day Lead Teacher

Born in Brooklyn, Harry has worked in childcare for ten years.  Graduating from DePaul University with a degree in Early Childhood Education, he’s worked as a tour guide, camp counselor, and environmental educator. After spending the last few years in Australia, he’s back in New York. He loves to play music and dance, and is excited to be a part of the Wonderforest family. 

 Joy Bingham-Battle (she/her)

Lead Teacher

Meet Joy, a teacher with a green thumb and a passion for sustainability. When she's not shaping young minds in the classroom, you'll find her tending to her thriving indoor jungle as a proud plant mom. From delicate orchids to vibrant tomatoes, Joy’s home is a haven for a diverse array of vegetables and plants.

Her commitment to the environment extends beyond her love for plants. Joy firmly believes in living a sustainable lifestyle and actively incorporates eco-friendly practices into her daily routine. 

Continuously striving for professional growth, Joy is currently enrolled in a CDA (Child Development Associate) program to further enhance her teaching skills and gain valuable credentials. 

With her green thumb, sustainable mindset, and ongoing pursuit of knowledge, Joy Is excited to join The Wonderforest Nature Preschool. 

Jules Becerra (she/they)

Extended Day Teacher

Jules Becerra is a Brooklyn-based outdoor educator with several years of experience leading youth programs and facilitating outdoor experiences for various programs, including Outward Bound. As a Lead Field Instructor, Jules has facilitated hiking, camping, and team-building experiences for students across the U.S., helping them build confidence, curiosity, and a connection to nature. Jules graduated from Harvard University, and also has a Masters in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Jules feels strongly about getting youth outside, and is passionate about making learning outdoors joyful, inclusive, and meaningful. In their spare time, Jules enjoys writing and performing comedy, playing music, and playing soccer.

Jules Madera (he/they)

Ecology & Community Coordinator

Julian hails from The Bronx, where they spent their early life thoughtfully observing & learning about the world around them, imagining a brighter one. Julian has always gravitated towards childhood education, starting their career volunteering at the Central Park Early Learning Center and leading an after-school class of 2nd graders at The Melrose School in the South Bronx. Jules also teaches in the park with our sister program, Brooklyn Nature Days. A fun-loving, compassionate, and creative spirit, Jules likes working with children because it allows him to utilize his active imagination. He loves to create dynamic scenarios where everyone is encouraged to share, grow and move with kindness. Above all, Julian rejects a one-size-fits-all approach to education and asserts the importance of treating each child as a unique and active participant in their learning journey.

Katie Garcia (she/her)

Co-Lead Teacher

Katie is an educator, theater artist, and integration specialist in spirituality and creative arts. She holds a Master's degree in Psychology in Education with a focus on Spirituality Mind Body from Teachers College, Columbia University. Originally from Brazil, she earned a Bachelor's in Communication and Arts of the Body from PUC-SP and a Certificate in Educational Psychology from Singularidades Institute.

Katie’s work explores theater as a ritualistic and transformative practice that nurtures the mind-body-spirit connection. She brings over a decade of experience in arts education across Brazil and the U.S., with a deep commitment to child development, emotional well-being, and inclusive pedagogy. Her teaching weaves together non-violent communication, social-emotional learning (SEL), and embodied learning, always centering creativity and care.

As a SEE Learning Facilitator and active researcher, Katie seeks to create learning environments where young people and educators alike reconnect with their inner world and the natural world. 

Kayla McCarthy (she/her)

Assistant Teacher

Kayla is a Brooklyn native who grew up enjoying New York’s wealth of public parks. She began working in childcare after moving to the Bay Area. There she gained experience in play-based and social-emotional learning. Kayla believes that social justice and empowering children are intrinsic to creating a better future. Now moving back to Brooklyn, she is excited to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. Outside of work, Kayla enjoys reading, cooking, and watching live performances.

Madison Winkes-Cantrell (she/her)

Assistant Teacher

Originally from New Orleans, Madison moved to New York nearly 10 years ago to attend NYU, graduating with an anthropology degree in 2017. Madison has worked with children in various capacities - a preschool assistant supporting early literacy in Lower Manhattan, a 4th grade teacher's assistant in the East Village, and most recently, a nanny to two lively little girls here in Brooklyn. She is so inspired by childrens' endless energy, enthusiasm, and imagination. This curiosity translates into her teaching approach, supporting each individual student's interests & needs. When not teaching, you can find her tending to her fire escape garden, fostering kittens, backpacking, and quilting. Madison is certified in Infant, Child, & Adult CPR.

Molly Mahoney (she/her)

Lead Teacher

Molly is an upstate native where she grew up immersed in all the outdoors opportunities offered. She received a BA in history and political science and recently received a MA in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University. She hopes to return to school to study education in the near future. Molly has worked as a nanny, encouraging a love for nature in all the kids she worked with. She’s excited to continue to nurture that love in her Wonderforest students! Her favorite thing about working with young minds is following their passions and encouraging independence and learning through play. In her free time, she loves spending time with her cat and wife, hiking, and exploring unique museums. 

Sinclaire Bilheimer (she/they)

Floating Teacher

Molly is an upstate native where she grew up immersed in all the outdoors opportunities offered. She received a BA in history and political science and recently received a MA in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University. She hopes to return to school to study education in the near future. Molly has worked as a nanny, encouraging a love for nature in all the kids she worked with. She’s excited to continue to nurture that love in her Wonderforest students! Her favorite thing about working with young minds is following their passions and encouraging independence and learning through play. In her free time, she loves spending time with her cat and wife, hiking, and exploring unique museums. 

Vannessa Ju (they/she)

Substitute Teacher

As a young child, Vannessa grew up underneath the wide open skies of both Houston, Texas and Tainan, Taiwan. Vannessa has always felt a kinship to nature, imagination, and art–being an intuitively creative person, they are passionate about not only continuing to discover this magic, but also teaching others to embrace the intersectionality of this wondrousness as well! Much of Vannessa’s teaching history involves English Second Language education to Mandarin-speaking students in Taiwan, and understanding how to bridge the gap between kids who feel as if they are in-between worlds due to generational immigration. When Vannessa has spare time, she often spends it nurturing her own inner child through activities like fiber arts, long walks in gardens, and cuddling with her two cats, Sugar and Cher.

Kenny Frisby (he/him)

Operations Manager

Kenny was born in Dayton, OH and transplanted to NYC in 2001. He’s a dad, yogi, cat person, plant lover, and amateur crafter. At Wonderforest Kenny works mostly behind the scenes, helping to make each day go by smoothly.

Sarah Carlson (she/her)

Founder: Brooklyn Nature Days, Wonderforest Preschool, BK Natur(Ed)

 Sarah is a Bank Street Graduate with an M.S. Ed. in Early Childhood Elementary Education, and has taught in a variety of public and private school settings in New York and New Jersey for the past 19 years. She is the 2018 recipient of the Margaret O’Neill Early Childhood Nature Educator Award for her work with Brooklyn Nature Days. Sarah is certified as a Forest School Kindergarten Teacher through Cedarsong Nature School and is currently pursuing her New York Master Naturalist Certification through Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension Program. She currently serves on the Board of the Eastern Regional Association of Forest and Nature Schools (ERAFANS). Sarah holds Permanent Teaching Certification in both New York and New Jersey. She is inspired by children's authenticity, energy, and expression and is rooted in the idea that we are always learning through experience, reflection, and finding the magic in day to day moments. Sarah believes strongly in the freedom, health, and creativity that ample time in nature can provide.