My Story…

I was born in Colorado and spent my early childhood in Conifer with six siblings and a variety of pets. My parents relocated us to upstate New York, where I went to college, married and started a family. I am the proud mother of three children, whom I raised as a single parent from the time they were two, four and six. My children are now talented, kind and brave adults.

As the mother of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, I had daily experience caring for a child on the spectrum. I gained a broad perspective regarding children with special needs through volunteering in his classrooms. I attended numerous seminars to equip myself with the skills to enable his healthy growth and increase his potential. I worked for the school district as a paraprofessional and parent representative for IEP meetings. I experienced the difficulties, fatigue and responsibility of doing it all “on my own”. This taught me empathy for other parents, and prompted my desire to offer support to families as a vocation.

Even before my children were born, I had the desire to care for children, to help them succeed in their endeavors, and to make a positive impact on their lives. Toward that end, I took classes in Human Services and Education in college. I did my field work in elementary classrooms and at a school for children with various handicaps. I was employed in day care centers and cared for children in their homes.

When I became a single parent, I decided self-employment was the best way to work around my children’s schedules. I began cleaning homes and businesses during the hours my children were in school. As they got older, I went to college and acquired a degree in Civil Technology. I worked in the landscaping and construction industries, which increased my income and improved our quality of life.

When my son with Asperger’s graduated from college, we moved to Colorado to care for my elderly mother,  and I became a nanny for families in the Denver and Boulder metro area.

Education

• College Coursework in Education
• AAS degree in Civil Technology-Environmental Control
• Adult and Child CPR/AED Trained

Work History

• Professional Nanny and Mother’s Helper: Kids and Pets Co., Denver Metro Area, CO
  • Experience with Newborns, Twins and Multiple Siblings
• Animal Care and House-Sitter: Kids and Pets Co., Denver Metro Area, CO
  • Dogs, Cats, Fish, Birds, Reptiles, Farm Animals, Rodents
• Business Manager: Michael Lawn Equipment, Henrietta, NY
• Paraprofessional/Teaching Assistant: Rush-Henrietta School District, Henrietta, NY
• Administrative Assistant: Ted Hosmer Landscaping, Henrietta, NY
• Crew Chief: Your Gardening Angel, Fairport, NY
• Field Technician: Lecesse Construction Company, Rochester, NY
• Owner of Residential and Commercial Cleaning Business: Rochester, NY
• Daycare Preschool Teacher: Rochester, NY

Child Care Philosophy

My top priorities are a child’s physical safety, health, and emotional comfort. I’ve trained myself to use tenderness in my speech and actions, so as to not frighten a child in my care. I use non-shaming, gentle correction and redirection.

I believe in respectful and honest communication with children to establish trusting relationships, which starts with active listening. Children do best with acknowledgement and patience. I use play and conversation to bring out a child’s core – to ascertain their strengths and aspirations.

I have found it helpful to mimic the parents’ established style and routines. This consistency reinforces a child’s sense of security and expectation. I model polite interactions, setting the example with “please, thank you, I’m sorry and I forgive you”. Rather than forcing my will, I offer older children a choice when appropriate to assist them with self-discipline and decision-making.

I employ the “spoonful of sugar” technique for picking up toys, personal hygiene routines, and new skill training – building on successes with praise and affection.