References - available upon request.
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The Montessori theme continues in Portland..... The old house where we hosted the nanny share had a great sink design, perfect for toddlers to reach with a step stool. They spent much time washing their hands, dishes, and pouring water. Twins help each other discover such great things, from washing off the fridge to each other in the sink! |
My clients from Berkeley, R and C, sent me these cute pictures:
Before Bridgid.....
....after Bridgid
Twins R and G (now in third grade!!) are the spirited children of incredibly creative, active parents B and C, of Oakland. I started working with them when they were around 15 months of age - crawling, recent walkers, and still in highchairs. I had a regular date night with their family for almost four years. I've helped out at their various birthday and Halloween parties, done some house/dog sitting when they go on vacation, and introduced simple Montessori concepts into my care with them. The picture to the left is R helping make dinner by chopping carrots (sharp objects are closely supervised). The children participate in all self-help activities, including clearing their dinner plates and sometimes even dish washing! They learned to patiently allow finger nail trimming, and learned to brush each other's hair - the glory of twins, helping each other!
The handsome face to my left is C, son of MJ. I worked with C from the time he was 7 months old, in April of 2011, until he was almost three. I observed his crawling progress to stair climbing. I got to see him take some of his first steps (I totally cried) right after his first birthday. I observed the beginning of his words, including babbling, which then progressed and went through a period of explosive development (as Montessori describes, between ages 18 months - 2 years); then major language development, including rapidly picking up new words, clearly enunciating, use of grammar and syntax, and multiple word sentences. During his growth, I started out giving him meals in a high chair (which he eventually figured out how to climb out of); then gradually graduated to using a step stool that is pulled up to the counter; now he sits at a regular sized table. I have also consulted with MJ on some garden projects, including compost rehabilitation and planting corn, beans, and squash. MJ's three dogs also join us for care, although they generally just recline on the couch. MJ has graciously recommended me.
Rehabilitated compost, and plantings of corn, beans, and squash.
From the Fall of 2001 to June 2005, I worked at McLane Elementary in Olympia, WA. I was the Assistant Director of a YMCA before-and-after school program under the direction of Hilary Davis. Hilary was my first real mentor in teaching, and taught me much of what I know. She's an inspirational teacher, and was a wonderful leader in that she encouraged collaboration, gave great feedback, and allowed me room to innovate while supporting my growth. Hilary went on to complete her Masters in Education - she actually graduated in 2007, the same year I got my BA. She teaches 5th grade at Lydia Hawk Elementary.
Hilary had this to say about my work: "Bridgid began working as an entry-level group leader and was quickly promoted to Assistant Director due to her reliability, hard work, and skills with children...(which include) initiation, organization, and planning. Bridgid will be an asset to any organization."
Full letter of recommendation from Hilary available upon request. Further information available at:
http://mclane.osd.wednet.edu/staff/davis_hilary/davis_hilary
Hilary had this to say about my work: "Bridgid began working as an entry-level group leader and was quickly promoted to Assistant Director due to her reliability, hard work, and skills with children...(which include) initiation, organization, and planning. Bridgid will be an asset to any organization."
Full letter of recommendation from Hilary available upon request. Further information available at:
http://mclane.osd.wednet.edu/staff/davis_hilary/davis_hilary
During my senior year of college, I moved from McLane Y-Care to my college campus childcare center where I worked as a substitute lead teacher. There I worked with a number of great staff, including Tracy Duncan, the mother of one of my kids from Y-Care. I rotated between the baby room, the 2-3/yr old room (aka the Frogs), and the older kid preschool. Under the leadership of Donna Simon, I gained great experience with the pre-K crowd (including that anything can happen when your back is turned for even a second).
http://www.evergreen.edu/childrenscenter/home.htm
http://www.evergreen.edu/childrenscenter/home.htm
