Programs

About Us

We are a team of professionals with a variety of backgrounds in social work, education, psychology, arts and more. Having studied and practiced all over the United States and the world, we have come together to develop programs of education for the South West Florida community.
Together we represent many years of experience working with children, families, educators and organizations in field of education and development.

Maria Luisa M. Carter - Lulu Carter lulu

An experienced Speech Therapist, artist and certified Psychodramatist in Brazil.
*B.A Degree in Art, Faculdade da Cidade, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1986 Certificate in Psychodrama-Psychodrama Association of Rio de Janeiro – FEBRAP - 1989
*Speech Therapy, Veiga De Almeida University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- 1991 
*Master in Early Childhood Education– Southern Connecticut State University – New Haven 1997
 
”In my 20 years as an artist, business woman, educator and therapist, I’ve traveled all around the world, worked in the private and public sectors and contributed to the education and development of children, families and educators of all backgrounds and needs”.

Donna Roberts - Program facilitator

Donna Roberts
Donna completes an M.S. in Environmental Sciences on April 27, 2008, and has been involved in community activism and education around environmental issues for many years. Her past work in journalism and TV production were often linked to her passions for healing ourselves and the planet. Donna's masters research explored the world of women environmentalists in Brazil.
Program facilitators: Tylor Compton and Donna Roberts

Hector Vazquez enjoys teaching all ages of students. Hector has a Bachelor Degree in Arts.
Hector strives to create a supportive and challenging dance class atmosphere to encourage students to participate.

Janet Weisberg
She holds a degree in Sociology, Certification as a Traumatologist, Nationally Certified and Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist #37646, Reiki Practitioner, Professional and Trainer of Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), Teacher of the elegant and timely art of “reconnecting with Nature”, Arts & Healing Practitioner, Life & Spiritual Counselor and Yoga teacher trainee.

A resident of Collier County for 19 years has worked in our community as a social artist, creating, weaving, teaching, facilitating and guiding self and others through our personal life journeys. Janet’s path has led to a deep appreciation and gratitude of the perfection and uniqueness of each individual and their path. Her work and mentor style reflect this view of wholeness, Oneness,well-being and joy.

Kat Epple
Kat has traveled to the far reaches of the globe to perform in concert and to learn about the people, natural environment, music, and flutes from around the world. She has acquired a large collection of flutes from these various exotic locales, which she features in her original compositions, and will be playing some of these unusual flutes, and telling interesting stories about them. Kat is a film and television music soundtrack producer/composer for television shows such as "National Geographic" and "Guiding Light", and will talk about how music influences us. She will also play some music from her 18 internationally released music albums. This fun learning experience is presented specifically for children.

Has worked many years at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, Naples, FL Religious as a Educator, Mentor, Youth Advisor, Summer Arts Camp.She owes the Jujo Studio Naples, FL and teaches Discipline Based Art Education Classes, Summer Art Camp, High School Portfolio Preparation Course. She worked at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands,as NC Spiritual Advisor, Arts and Crafts Consultant, Resident Artist. Also at Betances Elementary School, Hartford Public Schools, Hartford, CT Full Time Bi-Lingual Pre K – 6 Art, After School Drama Coach Grade 6.

Lorraine C. Ladish
Published author, free-lance journalist and writing coach. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Associate’s Degree in English and Spanish Literature – University of London, 1983

So far, I have published 14 books and have authored a writing workshop entitled Writing, Within Your Reach. A communicator by nature, I enjoy motivating others to pursue their dreams. Throughout the years, I have provided instruction in fitness, dance, writing and languages. I love storytelling and engaging children and adults in reading and writing. I’m crazy about my two young daughters, who are active participants in Outside the Box.

Maria Alvear, born in Gobernador Gregores, Patagonia, Argentina,
Certified Parenting Coach and Life Coach, is a passionate and devoted mother of three.
Always in the look out for growing in all areas of life, finally found her passion in teaching.
Maria's vision is to empower parents to create healthy, loving, functional, and intimately connected “Family Teams”.
My desire is to partner with parents, teachers, physicians, spiritual leaders and others, who have a heart for giving children the tools they need, including effective discipline, to enable the next generation to create healthy, loving and functional future.
Creating Cooperative and Responsible Children, in healthy, loving and functional “Family Teams” has never been more important to our society. Old parenting tools will not teach our children how to be successful and survive in the new millennium.

Mary Ellen Rand is a practicing Landscape Architect and Artist with a previous career in Education and Counseling. Mary-Ellen Degrees include M.Ed in Counseling, Bachelor of Visual Arts and an MLA.

My particular interest is in accessing one’s source of creative expression. The creative force is always available in and around us and when we learn to be aligned with it our best work flows outward. This is an area of exploration in which I have a keen interest for my own work as an artist; and in facilitating others to develop practices which maximize their creative potential.

Sue McMunn, LCSW, ACSW, PAT

Sue is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Practitioner-Applicant for Trainer. In 2000, she was awarded a Fellow by The American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. Sue maintains a private practice in Naples, Fl. and co-leads one day workshops in Miami and Naples with Dr. Herb Dandes. Sue has presented workshops nationally and internationally and served as co-chair of the Philadelphia and Miami ASGPP Conferences in addition to serving as Secretary for their Executive Council. Sue is also a member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Sue is drawn to the spirituality of psychodrama.

Shulamith Chernoff
*Associate Professor Emeritus , Southern Connecitcut State University Early Childhood Education and Child Development specialist
*Master's degree Teacher's College, Columbia University . Doctoral studies in child development.
*Teacher and director of bilingual and bicultural schools in Manhattan and New Haven , CT
*Established laboratory school for young children at Southern Connecticut State University, Directed Head Start training
*Travels thoughout the world to visit preschool programs: e.g. China, Scandinavia, Russia,Cuba, Israel, England
* President of The New Haven Association for the Education of Young Children for three terms
* Education Consultant to a variety of schools for young children
* Presentations to teachers at the annual meetings of the National Association for the Education of Young Children
* Workshops for parents, teachers and caregivers on issues of multicultural education, ethics, child development.
* Book of poetry published by the Hanover Press. Involved in poetry readings in various parts of the country.