Level of education: Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education and Special Education Generalist K through 12.

Additional skills or certifications: CPR & First Aid. As a special education teacher, I have experience with children with moderate needs including Autism, Oppositional Defiance, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mild developmental delays. I also have formal training in two phonics programs: Really Great Reading and Just Words. I'm happy to introduce and teach phonics to children I care for if it's age appropriate. Once a child can identify the letters of the alphabet, phonics instruction can begin. This is generally between the ages of 3 and 5.

Experience: 13 years of Teaching experience and 1.5 years of a home day care experience.

Experience with the following age groups: Prefer ages 2-18.

Interests and hobbies:I'm a big dreamer and have multiple creative outlets and entrepreneurial interests. I write curriculum for teachers as well as children's books and have published a book endorsed by The CO Dept. of Education and by positive psychology guru Shawn Achor. I am also building a company with my daughter that promotes animal advocacy. I am an absolute animal lover and have three cats and a Chihuahua who are considered family! I also love cooking and am an outstanding plant-based cook. I genuinely enjoy cooking for people and would love to shop for and prepare family meals. If I had more than 24 hours in a day, I'd spend more time painting, making jewelry, and creating bath and body products, but I've had to prioritize my hobbies!

Describe your childcare style:I'm a genuinely loving, happy, and nurturing person, and this is reflected in my relationships with my own children as well as others'. I prioritize safety and well-being while encouraging children to have fun and exercise creativity. I'm a very creative person myself and know how powerful an outlet the imagination can be. Play is important for a child's development and social-emotional growth, and of course it looks different for "littles" of different ages and interests. I have a background in education and also have grown children of my own, so I've learned from hands-on experience as much as I have from formal training. Positive reinforcement is always more effective than punishment, and it just feels better for everyone involved. I understand that children of every age benefit from structure and some degree of predictability on a daily basis. Flexibility is also important, so an enjoyable and healthy daily routine is a balance between the two. It's important to give children choices when reasonable so they develop a sense of autonomy appropriate for their age, but healthy boundaries are also necessary. Of course, I would reinforce the habits, routines, and rules set forth by family/parents.

What activities do you like to do with children:I enjoy outdoor activities, anything nature-related, arts and crafts, reading, writing, and of course, the occasional Disney movie marathon!

Why are you interested in working as a Nanny or Babysitter? As previously mentioned, I have several creative interests. Some of my projects have the potential to sustain me financially in years to come if I put the necessary energy into them now. And, I'm very passionate about them. After teaching for 13 years, I am ready to invest time, energy, and resources into my dreams. Becoming a nanny/house manager would allow me to use my skill sets and do what I enjoy, but in a different setting that doesn't drain my creative energy. Caring for one or two children requires a different sort of energy than caring for 60. If I stay in the classroom, I will forever remain in the classroom, and my passion and purpose has shifted in another direction. I'd love to find a family I connect with, and I can commit to at least one year of service.

What qualities are important in a Nanny or Babysitter?Integrity, a nurturing spirit, a playful soul, great at multi-tasking, sense of humor, problem solver, and dependability come to mind first.

Additional comments:I look forward to meeting your family!