Bridget Finke- Farm to Table Manager & Carpinteria Youngers Teachers

Hello! I’m Bridget, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Lanterns Global’s Farm to Table as the program manager and head teacher for the Youngers Pod. With a bachelor's degree in early education, these little ones are my kind of pals. 

My bliss is found playing in nature- surfing, hiking trails with my daughter, exploring on my bike, or camping. Originally from Minnesota, my journey led me here after years of solo travel, and I've been immersed in this wonderful community for the past six years. My philosophy revolves around creating a nurturing and inspiring space where children can grow and flourish. I hope to foster their love for learning, curiosity, and creativity against the beautiful backdrop of the Carp bluffs!

Bridget Finke- Farm to Table Youngers POD Head Teacher

Hello! I’m Bridget, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Lanterns Global’s Farm to Table as the program manager and head teacher for the Youngers Pod. With a bachelor's degree in early education, these little ones are my kind of pals. 

My bliss is found playing in nature- surfing, hiking trails with my daughter, exploring on my bike, or camping. Originally from Minnesota, my journey led me here after years of solo travel, and I've been immersed in this wonderful community for the past six years. My philosophy revolves around creating a nurturing and inspiring space where children can grow and flourish. I hope to foster their love for learning, curiosity, and creativity against the beautiful backdrop of the Carp bluffs!

Amy Moody- Farm to Table Olders Pod Head Teacher

Amy Moody is a passionate educator and lifelong learner who believes nature is the best classroom. A mother of two, she is a former homeschooler with years of experience working on a 400-acre hobby farm in Texas. She loves animals, plants, and the outdoors, and brings that connection of the natural world into her teaching. An avid reader herself, Amy fosters curiosity, gratitude, and joy in all her interactions with students and the community. She is excited to share her love of learning and nature with the Farm to Table program.

Kaya Cusick- Farm to Table Youngers Pod Head Teacher

Hello! My name is Kaya Cusick and I am so excited to be a Head Teacher for the Youngers Pod with the Farm to Table program! I absolutely loved being an Assistant Teacher last year and look forward to making more beautiful memories. I have lived in Santa Barbara for only a year and half but have spent the majority of the last 7 years on the west coast studying psychology and special education in Washington state! I love the mountains and am so lucky to have been immersed in the Pacific Northwest lifestyle, skiing and hiking Mount Baker. But I am equally, if not even more connected to the ocean! Living in the SB area has been the greatest experience so far. I feel beyond grateful having easy access to surf, locally sourced farm fresh food and the sunshine warming my skin and soul. Working with youthful energy has always been my passion. I am the oldest sibling of my two best friends and the oldest cousin on both my mother and father’s side, my family means the world to me. I have had the opportunity to teach kiddos from the east to west coast and also spent time working at a bilingual Montessori school in Costa Rica. I approach learning with a positive, gentle and creative style. I believe every mind and body is unique and deserving of individualized attention! When I’m not at the farm, I enjoy spending my time outside, seeing live music, cooking, dancing, and reading/educating myself on my long list of interests! I can’t wait to connect with everyone, and have an incredible year on the beautiful bluffs of Carp Children’s Farm:)

Sofia Hart- Farm to Table Middles Pod Head Teacher

Hello, I'm Sofia, and I’m so excited to be one of the Farm to Table Head Teachers this year! I graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Ethnic Studies and a minor in Sociology. I’ve worked with kiddos in all kinds of spaces—babysitting, Junior Lifeguards, Sunday School, and most recently as a Resident Teacher in kindergarten and fourth grade classrooms while pursuing my Master’s in Education.

I believe children learn best with their hands and hearts. I’m passionate about teaching through nature, nurturing curiosity, and sharing my love for animals, food, and the outdoors.

Outside the classroom, I love spending time with my family, playing board games, going to church, cooking, painting, and surfing. I can’t wait for the school year ahead and look forward to learning with you!

Lauren Ahman- Farm to Table Assitant Teacher

Hi! My name is Lauren Ahmann, and I graduated from Westmont College with a degree in Kinesiology. I'm currently on the path to becoming a pediatric occupational therapist, and I’m passionate about helping children grow and thrive by embracing their differences. I’ve spent the past few summers working on a farm in Oregon, which deepened my love for nature, animals, and the outdoors. Looking forward to another year of assistant teaching at Farm-to-Table!

Hailey Cusick- Farm to Table Assitant Teacher

Hello! I’m Hailey Cusick, and I couldn’t be more excited to join the Farm to Table team as assistant teacher. I am 23 years old, and have been with Lanterns Global since January of 2025. I have been living in Santa Barbara for about four years, attending Santa Barbara City College. I am from Fairfield, Connecticut, and love to visit the east coast for family gatherings and holidays! I have a background in assistant teaching in pre-schools and growing up babysitting, and around many younger cousins! I have a huge love and appreciation for childcare, and nurturing the young mind through education, outdoor play, and learning through life. I majored in English, so naturally I am an avid lover of reading and writing, which is usually what you’ll find me doing when I am not at the farm. Poetry is my personal favorite! Aside from reading and writing, I love the beach, swimming, travel, film photography, and walks in the mesa. I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful and enriching environment as Santa Barbara, and cannot wait for this year ahead with you all!

Amy Hughes- Farm to Table Olders POD Head Teacher

Hello everyone! I’m Victoria, and I’m so excited to be the Uppers Head Teacher for Farm to Table Irvine.  

I was born and raised in Orange County, and am very excited to be back after a ten-year hiatus on the East Coast.  Teaching is my passion, and I’m excited to bring eight years of teaching experience to this program.  After graduating from Brown University with my Master’s of the Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree, I worked for five years as a coach, residential adviser, and teacher at a boarding school in Connecticut.  Since moving back to California, I’ve had the pleasure to work with students of all ages and abilities in a wide variety of school settings.  I am thrilled to have my own pod of students again, and look forward to forming positive and nurturing relationships and watching each of them learn and grow in our time together.  Outside of teaching, you can catch me swimming at the beach or pool, baking with my sourdough starter, or hanging with my pup, Olive. 

Hayley Thompson- Farm to Table Youngers POD Head Teacher

Hello, my name is Hayley Thompson, and I am so excited to be teaching in the beautiful outdoors! I am deeply passionate about experiential and place-based education. I believe the best learning happens when children can explore, experiment, and get their hands in the dirt. My life and adventures have led me around the globe and I have had the fortune of teaching in places like Maui, Orcas Island, and Ukraine. Now happily back in my home state of California, I tend a thriving garden of my own and enjoy spending my time exploring museums and hiking trails, trying out new recipes and diy projects, and playing with my cat!

Borah Lim - Farm to Table Assistant Teacher

As a Korean-American born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, it was an unexpected turn and surprise for me to switch from the pre-medical field to get into agriculture and environmental sciences during my studies at Williams College, a small liberal arts school in northwest Massachusetts. Through volunteering at English and Korean language camps abroad, I found my love for working with kids and began to pursue a career in garden education and community development. In 2022, I got my masters from UC Davis in International Agricultural Development, and my most recent career development opportunity has been to live in Far West Nepal and work with a school girls' club to start their school garden. Aside from gardening and kids, some things I enjoy are potlucks, soccer and long-distance running, and exploring the mountains and outdoors when I can. I am an auntie to two cute little boys, an inactive Master Gardener, and a lover of all things related to community building!

Miriam Gallardo - Farm to Table Assistant Teacher

¡Hola! My name is Miriam and I am a Teacher for the El Jardín and Farm to Table programs. I have been working with children and their families for over 20 years. I began working with infants & toddlers and now work with school aged children. Experiencing children's development through all the developmental ages & stages set my path to earning my B.A. in Child Development & Psychology and a M.A. in Education.

Although I am the teacher, I especially love learning from the children; they definitely bring a different perspective to the environment which I truly appreciate. For me, teaching is such a fun and creative way to plant the seed of curiosity and watch it bloom into knowledge. 

At home, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two kids, reading, gardening and traveling. We have recently added our first family pet! A curious crested gecko, so now, a lot of our time goes to her and maintaining her bioactive vivarium.