Level of education: North Carolina State University - BA in Interpersonal Communication. I am two classes short of completing my degree, which I will take online Spring of 2015.

Additional skills or certifications: CPR and First Aid Certified, QMAP Certified

Experience: Throughout the years, I have gained a significant amount of experience working with children in various forms. I began babysitting regularly for a family when I was in middle school and continued to consistently nanny/babysit for them throughout high school, about 5 or 6 years. I formed a significant relationship with both the parents and children, walking with them through major milestones including the birth of their youngest son and their entrance to the teen years. I am happy to say that even though we no longer live in the same state, it is a relationship I enjoy to this day. After graduating high school, I lived for four months as a live in child care provider in a children's home in Jinotega, Nicaragua. I cared for displaced children ranging from 2 to 18 years old on a full time, live in basis. This included working with children with special needs, planning activities, managing routines, house and garden work, cooking, and creating a consistent and culturally aware environment for the children. I also created, implemented, and taught an ESL curriculum for the children according to their skill levels, from beginner to advanced. I have continued return visits to maintain relationships with the children. Throughout my college years, I stayed involved in my work with children, including babysitting for a precious five year old girl, volunteering 2x each week at the local Boys and Girls Club, working as a volunteer Child Advocate at a center for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and teaching child nutrition classes at a Salvation Army Shelter. For the past year, I have been working as a primary care counselor at a residential child care facility for teens ages 16 to 21 years old. In this position, I work with all of the youths, but am assigned one teen to work with specifically to ensure intentional and therapeutic care. Though this job is working with older teens, many of them are in a younger place developmentally, and so activities like reading bed time stories are normal joys for me. I will be in this position through the end of August, and am so looking forward to maintain the relationships I have formed with the residents.

Experience with the following age groups: I have worked with children of all ages, mostly toddlers through the teen years, but I am comfortable with infants as well.

Interests and hobbies:I love to stay active and be outside as much as possible, and in my off time I can be found running, hiking, or practicing yoga. I also enjoy working with my hands, gardening, and cooking healthy meals. I believe in building community and being an engaged member of the local community, so being out-and-about and spending quality time with people is also important to me.

Describe your childcare style:I try to live out of my core values, and this carries over to the way I care for children. My style of childcare, therefore, is mindful and engaged, and I try to facilitate a safe, creative, and adventurous environment. My personality is easy going, but intentional and joyful.

What activities do you like to do with children:Being outside, activities that foster healthy imagination, crafts, baking, reading, child yoga and creative movement, Spanish lessons, outings and playdates

Why are you interested in working as a Nanny or Babysitter? Working with children is rewarding and challenging. Over the years, I have seen what an impact positive people can make on a child's life. To be able to play a role in caring for and influencing a child is an amazing privilege, not to be taken lightly. I love being surprised by what the children I work with teach me. In short, this is work I truly love and find valuable and important.

What qualities are important in a Nanny or Babysitter?Being present and engaged, consistency, creativity, joy, reliability, patience, encouragement, strong communication skills, appropriate conflict resolution skills, and flexibility

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