Who We Are…

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 “LULU” CARTER ~ DIRECTOR, FOUNDER & TEACHER
Awarded as ” Queen Mother of Torgorme Village” Ghana Africa

-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 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
also known as “Lulu”
(nickname given by her students), is an expert in Holistic Education. Lulu has a particular interest in providing services to children with different abilities and special needs. The style and environment at Outside the Box has proven to be a place where children, teens and adults with different abilities thrive. Life with Autism is a partner program and Outside the Box is committed to creatively working together with all children and families to achieve a place of success.

Together with her team, she is responsible for developing, teaching and directing the services at Outside the Box – Programs and House of Gaia.

“Lulu Carter” has designed art and education programs for schools, universities and non-profit institutions in many parts of the world.

”In my 24 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”.

 

TANIA MELKONIAN ~ NUTRITION PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Tania joins the House of Gaia Nutrition Program with over 20 years of experience in food. As a culinary arts teacher with a particular expertise in Rustic and Mediterranean cuisine Tania, a trained Healthy Culinary Arts Chef & Nutritionist uses an approach driven by the use of whole foods, easy scratch cooking and culturally appropriate ingredients.

With many years of experience teaching Spanish, French and ESL to both the young and….less young, Tania hopes to continue to ‘light the way’ for many years to come by also teaching El Mundo for children.

BREE COWAN ~ CHILDREN’S THEATER MENTOR

Bree Cowan has been an actress since she was nine years old. At that time she wanted to be a teacher and so auditioned for the role of teacher in the school play. She got the female lead instead. As they say…a star was born! Or at least a girl who would spend the rest of her life on stage. After a childhood and adolescence filled with a myriad of acting endeavors, she attended William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, majoring in theater. Bree is a homeschooling mother of two and has spent the last ten years not only acting but teaching. She has recently been inspired to share her love of the theater with as many children as she can! She is very excited for the opportunity to do so in the caring and creative atmosphere at House of Gaia.

 

 

HUMBERTO PASSOS ~ CAPOEIRA

Move in many directions to the sound of Brazilian percussion. Capoeira teaches discipline while exercising the body, mind and soul!  Culture, fun, and fitness!

 

 

JILL GRIGG EMMERICH ~ KIDS/TEEN GROUP MENTOR

Jill Emmerich, BCaBA, behavior consultant assists in Gaia’s special needs program and leads teen groups to greater knowledge and self-esteem.  She is also an active volunteer and dedicates many hours to assisting with programming and promotion at House of Gaia.

 

CARRIE ROBINSON (Petite Fifi) ~ BELLY DANCE

Petite FiFi started dancing in her early childhood and has been belly dancing for over 9 years and teaching for 4 years. She has trained with Sherry Coffey, RayAnne, Ansuya, Mariah from Ohio, Kathreen Saab and Dalia Carella, Artemis Mourat and others. She has performed at Night on 5th, Nursing Homes, Country Clubs, Private Parties and local venues in the Naples and Bonita Communities. She is also a Water Aerobics, Pole Walking and Zumba instructor.

 

 

 

 

 

MAURICE TORDJMAN ~ ART MENTOR AND DRUMMING TEACHER

Heart Beat Drum Classes for Adults, Teens, and Children!  Maurice lends his joyful spirit to teaching and connecting the community through his talent and love of music and drums.

 

 

LOUISE KENNY ~ MEDITATION/MENTOR

Louise Kenny, LCSW, is a bereavement services coordinator with Avow Hospice.  She brings years of experience of working with people in preventative care. She has an increidble team that assists her in heart opening and joy workshops, as well as individual meditation classes.

 

 

 

RAQUEL AUSTIN ~ YOGA MENTOR

Raquel, R.Y.T. and director of the Negril Yoga Centre comes to us with years of experience and care to lead gentle and inspiring yoga classes for adults.

 

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