Amaia Aguirre Jimenez (she/her)

Assistant Teacher

Amaia is from northern Spain - the Basque Country - and grew up speaking Basque and Spanish. She has working knowledge of Catalan and is fluent in English. 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 piano in student’s homes and/or online. As an educator, Amaia has deep experience with Montessori education, teaching at bilingual preschools and elementary schools in addition to her many years of teaching piano. She has always felt a fascination for the educational world and the impact it can make, understanding that its unlimited potential allows the children to develop their fullest potential which contributes to a 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 happiness, solidarity, humanity, their unlimited skills and their ability to think and reflect for themselves with an excitement to learn both in and alongside nature. 

Ana Antunes (she/they)

Lead Teacher

Ana is a born-and-raised New Yorker who is now based in Brooklyn. She graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in English; her love of nature, literature, and the arts are deeply intertwined. Ana worked as a teacher in upstate New York, where they often used the woodsy outdoors as a classroom. She trusts that children know their feelings and bodies best, and is mindful of and sensitive to every child's unique set of needs. When she's not in the park, they love to cook, tend to their houseplants, watch questionable reality tv, play with their feisty dachshund, and visit their rooftop for sunsets with loved ones.

Audra Brandt (she/her)

Assistant Teacher

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.

Cathy Maguire (she/her)

Lead Teacher

Cathy, born and raised in Ireland, moved to the US when she was 18 to attend Parsons School of Design, fell in love with NYC and never went home. She holds an M.S. Ed. in Special Education and Early Childhood Education from Bank Street (2023) and an M.A. in Museum Studies, Costume and Textiles (2020) from The Fashion Institute of Technology. Cathy is a two-time career changer who has decades of experience working as a textile, fashion, costume, and set designer, and later an exhibition designer, curator, and historian. Teaching has always brought great joy and satisfaction to Cathy’s life whether training docents in the field, being an adjunct at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), teaching textile design and fibers as a visiting artist at Camp Ballibay, or teaching Fashion and Fiber to elementary, middle, and high school students at Zipi’s Art Studio in Park Slope. Cathy is an all season wild swimmer and a surdo drummer for Batala New York. She uses her creativity and love for the great outdoors to enhance the relationships she builds with the children she works with.

Cindy Sanchez (she/her)

Assistant 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.

 Jhanna Barocas (she/her)

Lead Teacher

Jhanna is currently pursuing a Master in Early Childhood Education from Brooklyn College. Over the past decade, she has worked as an early childhood educator in various settings. Teaching in elementary school, Jhanna was inspired by the innate curiosity of childhood, and she found that with project-based learning, children can deeper their connection to learning. For the past two years, she has worked as a Lead Teacher at Wonderforest's sister school, Brooklyn Nature Days, where she helped her students discover the joys of the natural world through playful investigation. Jhanna has designed and taught many nature-based curricula and believes that exploration is the best way to foster a child's love of the natural world. When not teaching, Jhanna can often be found working with clay, making sculptures from natural materials found on hikes, or making natural dyes from plants she has grown or foraged. She is excited to share her curiosity about nature and love of learning with the Wonderforest community.

 Julian Madera (he/they)

Ecology & Field Assistant Teacher

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.

 Joy Bingham-Battle (she/her)

Assistant 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. 

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.

Marisel Cerda (she/her)

Co-Lead Teacher

Marisel was born and raised in Brooklyn, NYC. She has been in the Early childhood education field for over 12 years. In both an educator role and an administrative role.  Marisel received her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from BMCC and her Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Development. She has a 12 year old daughter who she loves spending time with. Before joining the team Marisel had 5 years in a Montessori school learning and implementing certain aspects to her daily life. A lover of flowers, she is excited to learn more about Brooklyn and the natural surroundings that we sometimes overlook. 

 Marisel is a big “foodie”, she and her daughter Leah love trying new restaurants. Marisel is a writer and hopes one day to write a book. She plans on returning to school to further her Education.

Molly Mahoney (she/her)

Assistant 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. 

Nia Scott (she/her)

Co-Lead Teacher

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Nia is a certified Teaching Assistant, CDA holder and CPR certified. She is always looking for ways to continue her professional development. She attended Brooklyn HighSchool of the Arts, majoring in Fine Arts. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Education from CUNY Medgar Evers College. Working with children is her passion. She has worked in early childhood education for 9 years. She has worked under many different educational umbrellas, such as Universal Pre-k, Montessori and Special Education AbA centered schools across Brooklyn & Manhattan. Her first experience working with children was as a youth Counselor/ Art teacher in her local community center. That experience led her to
discover her philosophy of allowing children to explore and learn in a loving environment where they can feel heard and seen. She wants to foster young creative spirits and allow children to feel limitless. She believes it takes a village to raise a child and when a parent allows you in their village it is an honor. Outside of education, in her free time she enjoys roller skating, riding bike trails, painting, reading comics and caring for her sweet little houseplants!

Niko Bialek (they/them)

Lead Teacher

Niko is originally from Massachusetts and moved to New York over a decade ago. They have a Masters in Early Childhood Education and are a New York State certified teacher. Since their start as a nanny through their time at a variety of early childhood centers and teaching family classes at Kolot Chayeinu, Niko’s passion is getting to know each individual child, facilitating children’s growth and discovery, and building anti-racist, queer-and-trans-affirming community. Prior to Wonderforest, Niko’s most recent experience is teaching at Manhattan Country School and tutoring reading. Niko spends their free time finding all sorts of fun with their adventurous toddler.

Noa Wolf (she/her)

Lead Teacher

Originally from Israel, Noa grew up hiking, camping, and exploring the beautiful nature that surrounded her. Passionate about nature-based education, Noa immerses her classroom with outdoor adventures and nurtures curiosity and care for the environment. She has been an educator for nearly a decade, integrating Hebrew language and culture into her classroom curriculum. After arriving in New York four years ago, she embarked on her journey in early childhood education by teaching in a play-based preschool, where her love for this field blossomed. While obtaining her B.A. in Psychology and Education from Israel's Open University, Noa has continued to believe that growth and independence flourish through playful exploration. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys doing yoga, ballet, and spending time with her husband Shai and their tiny dog Pitzi.

Paula Jimenez (she/her)

Assistant Teacher

Paula is a passionate, fun and uplifting educator and caregiver. She is fluent in Spanish and English and has been teaching for the past 5 years. She has a passion for education as well as caregiving, which she feels come hand in hand. She is currently finishing her teaching certification in early childhood education.

Working with kids has taught her the diversity of life, from young to old and in between. She has learned to be patient, creative, a great listener, and compassionate. Through her experience and education, when teaching or taking care of children, she finds it very easy to adapt to the needs of both the child as well as the parents. Meeting children where they are, and then expanding upon that, is her favorite way not only to connect with a child but teach them. Laughing often and enjoying what the world must offer, are among the many things she enjoys doing. She loves exploring nature and often goes on hikes, watches sunsets, and sits on the beach to connect to the beauty of earth. She makes it a point to see the world outside of her everyday routine.

Sabrina Green (she/her)

Assistant Teacher

Fresh to Brooklyn, Sabrina is a nature lover from Ohio. She has experience with kids in the classroom, in-home, and in the forest! She appreciates working with children for their expansive state of mind, creativity, playfulness, and curiosity.

She centers her teaching focus in the interconnectedness of nature, bringing a philosophical approach to nature-based education.

Sabrina hopes to guide children to be in-tune with natural rhythms and to foster a sense of freedom within themselves.

With a background in holistic psychology from Kent State University she incorporates mindfulness practices, and enjoys sharing yoga and meditation with kids.

Outside of Wonderforest, Sabrina is a musician, holistic wellness practitioner, and a writer.

Yokasta Reyes (she/her)

Assistant Teacher

Yokasta was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She’s been living in New York for around 12 years. She speaks fluent Spanish and English and is a mother of three children.

Yokasta has been working in the early childhood field for 2 years at the Escuela Hispana Montessori Pre-k and Preschool. She loves working with children, seeing them explore and how they use their imagination. She’s a certified teacher assistant with a CDA credential. Yokasta contuniously focuses on her studies to become a better educator and to provide quality education to all her students. In her free time, she likes to go on walks, listen to music, and dance with her children.

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

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.