Aidan McDougall (she/her)

Assistant 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. Aidan is excited for the adventures that the summer at Wonderforest will bring!

Bri Gonzalez (she/her)

Extended Day Assistant Teacher

Graduating from Connecticut College with a degree in Psychology and certification in Public Policy and Community Action, Brianny has demonstrated a deep commitment to mental health equity and social justice. For her senior integrative research project, she investigated trauma-informed therapy as a proactive approach to addressing behavioral challenges in schools.

As part of her ten month practicum towards her psychology degree, she worked with a diverse population of immigrant and socioeconomically disadvantaged families at C.B. Jennings Elementary School, supporting students alongside a school social worker. Her dedication to inclusive education continued at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, where she served as a teaching assistant in an English Language Learners classroom and encouraged bilingual education.

At the Child Development Lab School at Connecticut College, she fostered the cognitive, emotional, and social development of toddlers and preschoolers through play-based learning. Brianny has worn many hats as a residential assistant, camp counselor, mentor, tutor, and teaching assistant, each reflecting her passion for child development and education. Born in the Bronx, NY, she finds joy in being a positive role model for children and making a meaningful impact in their lives.

D’Ella Brown (she/her)

Assistant 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 sister. Her love of nature followed when she moved to New York city 13 years ago. 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 and leave none behind. She has been working with elementary school children at Kids Orbit for a little over a year while obtaining her bachelor’s in early childhood education. In her free time she loves exploring the city and hanging out with her friends and family.

Elizabeth Reed (she/her/they/them)

Co-Teacher

Born and raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, Elizabeth brings over eight years of experience working with young children in NYC’s early education and preschool settings. She is currently completing her B.A. in Sociology at CUNY School of Professional Studies, with a focus on education and social inequality. Elizabeth is a certified Level 3 Teacher Assistant in New York State and is passionate about creating nurturing, inclusive spaces where children can grow through play, curiosity, and exploration.

Before joining Wonderforest, Elizabeth supported students in private preschools and charter elementary schools, where she co-led small group activities, reinforced classroom routines, and encouraged children to develop a sense of self and confidence. She believes in the importance of nurturing independence, supporting social-emotional growth, and helping each child feel seen and valued. When she’s not teaching, you can find her preparing for graduate school or traveling internationally, exploring new places and cultures.

Harry Vartorella (he/him)

Assistant 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. 

Katie Garcia (she/her)

Co-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. 

Kelly O’Donnell (she/her)

Floating Teacher

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Kelly attended St. Joseph University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Criminal Justice. Since then she has worked in the early childhood field and has discovered her love for working with and helping children. She loves to do arts and crafts, baking sweet treats, and anything that involves sports!

Maura Pelczynski (they/them/she/her)

Extended Day Assistant Teacher

Maura is a recent graduate from Sarah Lawrence College, where they studied creative/performing arts and the humanities, with a focus on children’s media! They have worked as a teacher for summer camp and afterschool programs in the DMV area and through Sarah Lawrence College’s Theatre & Civic Engagement Department.

Maura is both an avid camper and a zealous clown. They are passionate about play, and believe nature to be a spectacular place for children to embrace their imagination and curiosity. Maura has written several works of children’s theater which encourage kids to cherish the environment and its magic. Maura is also a puppeteer who emphasizes the joyful challenges and endless possibilities of creative reuse by making puppets out of found objects and upcycled materials. Maura is fond of astronomy, adventures, ice cream, and trains. 

Molly Harvey (they/them/she/her)

Lead Teacher

Molly graduated with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, and a minor in Applied Peace Studies from University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Molly has been working with children for almost their entire life. They started their professional career working as a Programming Coordinator for a summer camp in Wisconsin, and then transitioned to teaching at a nature-based Preschool. After years of teaching, Molly decided to jump back into the summer camp world and moved from Madison, Wisconsin to the Berkshires with their wife, Katy. Molly joined the staff of a summer camp in Hinsdale, MA, where they spent 2 wonderful summers. In October, Molly left the Berkshires to move to Park Slope, and has been loving the community and city life!

When Molly is not working, they like to watch women’s sports (Let’s Go Liberty!), read novels, write, and be outside. They have been spending a lot of time exploring all the exciting things New York has to offer, and are always looking for recommendations for cute cafes, great museums, and vegan spots!

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. 

Sarah Karoff (she/they)

Co-Teacher

Sarah is a rising senior at Skidmore College, originally from Westchester, NY. She recently returned from a five-month study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa, where she deepened her global perspective on education. As a lifelong learner, Sarah believes in growing alongside her students and values the unique insights they bring each day. In April 2023, she delivered a TEDx Talk exploring the long-term developmental impacts of traditional disciplinary methods on young children, advocating for more empathetic and developmentally-informed approaches to behavior. In the classroom, Sarah strives to create a nurturing, engaging environment where each child feels safe to explore, express, and grow. She supports children's social, emotional, and cognitive development through nature-based activities and play-based learning. Outside of teaching, Sarah enjoys painting, playing guitar, road trips, math puzzles, and collecting vintage teapots. She’s passionate about inspiring young minds and looks forward to another joyful and impactful summer with the Wonderforest community.

Sarah Walsh (she/they)

Park Assistant / Extended Day Assistant Teacher

Sarah Walsh grew up on Long Island, NY. She completed a dual degree in English and Film/Media Studies from Tufts University, with an additional focus in Environmental Studies. She has over a decade of experience teaching a wide range of subjects, and loves nature-based education most of all. She is committed to fostering relationships between communities and the land around them and has done so through her work as an outdoor educator, a trail guide, a volunteer at farms across the country, and at R+D distilleries, where she helped produce spirits that champion agriculture, anthropology, tradition, and science. She believes in the magic of good dirt and loves to share it with people of all ages. She is constantly awed by the wonder, imagination, and curiosity of children and is honored to help connect young ones to the natural world.

Sofia Gillespie (she/her)

Co-Teacher

Sofia is an educator and artist from Massachusetts, and she often finds curiosity and knowledge in the natural environments surrounding her. In the last year, she worked as an outdoor preschool teacher in Boston and is very excited to continue teaching at Wonderforest Preschool. Her educational philosophies center curiosity, community, and creativity, which she finds most often encouraged by natural environments. As a graduate from Boston College, she studied Psychology and minored in Studio Arts and Hispanic Studies. She has also worked for artists, galleries, and personal art projects that center collaboration, the climate crisis, and healing in art making. 

In her free time, Sofia loves making pottery, cooking, biking, dancing, going to the movies, and spending time with her family and friends – and of course, being outside!

Tess Gordon (she/her)

Extended Day Assistant Teacher

Tess has been working with children since she was old enough to babysit and spent the past year as a nanny. Born and raised in Manhattan, she loves learning through the city and is especially skilled at building fairy houses. With a lifelong passion for the arts and a degree in English from Skidmore College, Tess enjoys creative projects—especially those that incorporate recycled materials. She loves watching kids’ excitement, curiosity, and creativity grow. In her free time, Tess enjoys reading, visiting museums, and working on art projects.

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)

Director & Founder: Brooklyn Nature Days & Wonderforest Preschool

 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.