Our Passionate Teachers and Staff
Guiding with Care and Creativity
Jennifer Sorensson
Director
Jen has been a part of The Growing Place for nine years, starting as a teacher in the Transitional and Parent-Toddler classrooms before transitioning to the office. With over 25 years of experience in the field, she has taught various age groups from infancy to 8 years old. She holds an M.A. in education and is dedicated to fostering the growth of our preschool community.
Beth Camarillo
Assistant Director
Beth, also known as Mrs. Camarillo, has been with The Growing Place for six years, initially teaching in the Transitional classroom and Young Threes. For the past three years, she has served as the Assistant Director in the office. With 34 years of teaching experience in the Conejo Valley, she holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Site Supervisor certificate.
Karen Smith
Teacher
Karen has dedicated 40 years to the field of Early Childhood Education, spending 29 of those years here at The Growing Place! Before joining us, she owned and operated a large family daycare for 12 years, making children an integral part of her life. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, along with numerous certifications in the field. Karen is passionate about providing a safe, nurturing, and fun preschool experience for every child in her class. Karen cherishes that all six of her children and one of her grandsons attended The Growing Place Preschool.
Lauren Smith
Teacher
Lauren is excited to join The Growing Place this year as an assistant teacher in Room 4, working with the TK kids. With a passion for early childhood education, she looks forward to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning.
Jen Bovatsek
Teacher
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a completed early childhood education curriculum, Jen has always been passionate about working with young children. After realizing the significance of play in child development, she pursued a Master’s Degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism from San Francisco State. Jen greatly enjoys creating environments where children learn through play and grow through experiential learning.
Shohreh Ebrahimi-Mofidi
Teacher
Shohreh is excited to spend her fourth year in Room 2, where she loves to help children "explore, learn, and grow." She holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Art, Graphic Design, and Advertising, along with a certificate in Early Childhood Education. Shohreh previously taught art to high school and college students for over ten years. Her goal as a preschool teacher is to create a nurturing and engaging environment that helps children develop essential skills and a strong foundation for their future education.