I am a life-long learner, educator and parent of a 24-year-old young man. As a parent, I spent endless hours immersed in his world guided by the philosophy of learning through creative play and exploration. This was especially true when we lived on a remote island off the coast of Washington State for the better part of his first seven years. During that time we wandered the island, investigating nature, telling stories, and developing our imaginations. Although my role as a parent is now more like that of an advisor, we continue to spend time together singing and sharing our life experiences and wisdom. In addition to spending time with my son, I have been involved in the life of children since middle school serving a variety of roles, including babysitting, teaching, advising student members of clubs, monitoring and leading non-academic play groups, and investigating caregiver-child interactions to better understand a child’s social and emotional development. In short, I know and love being with kids.
One of my greatest strengths as a caregiver is my ability to connect with children of all ages and create safe and accepting environments where they are able to take risks and explore and express their inner selves. I am also able to connect with parents/guardians and create relationships where they feel their knowledge, expertise, and experiences are valued. Children should be in environments that are liberating, so I strive to create environments that nurture the whole child and allow their imagination and creativity to flourish. Children should also be in environments where they feel empowered, so I strive to honor their families stories and history. If I have the opportunity to work as a caregiver, I would be able to share my gift for making connections and creating spaces that are inclusive and engaging.
Not only am I skilled at making connections, but, with my background in developmental psychology, education and parenthood, I am well-versed in early childhood and elementary milestones and best practices, especially regarding K-7 math education. This combined with my playfulness, insatiable curiosity, and calm and gentle nature make me the ideal caregiver and, if needed, tutor. If I have the opportunity to serve you I would be able to share my knowledge of human development and genuine enthusiasm with you and your child.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about me, and I hope that our paths will cross in the future.
Peace