Employment
Live in Nanny
In 2013, when I was 19 years old and moved to Holland to be a nanny or an au pair as they called it there. As a full-time Nanny in Holland my daily duties included preparing breakfast, implementing the children’s morning routines, making their lunches, taking them to school at 8:30 am and picking them up after school. I also helped with their homework, planned daily outings and was responsible for driving the children to their extracurricular activities. I would say that this experience shaped who I am today. Firstly, it was hard being away from my family so I was essentially forced every day to go out of my comfort zone. It’s scary but also super rewarding being able to realize how strong you can be. The kids I nannied for we aged 7, 9 and 10. I loved helping them with their homework (even though it was in Dutch) and I would take on a teaching role when helping them with it.
YMCA: After School Care
I worked at the YMCA After School Care Program as a leader. I worked with children aged 4-12 years old. I supervised and interacted with the children, lead them in activities such as swimming and group play, as well as teach them the YMCA core values and other important virtues. This was a great job for me at the time because I worked with kids of varying ages. It helped prepare me for my future of working with kids. I feel that this experience will help me be the best teacher that I can be.
Travel:
2009 – Hawaii
2011- Mexico
2013- Mexico & Holland
2014- Hawaii
2015- Alaska & Las Vegas
2016- United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe (Holland)
2018- Mexico
I feel like I have travelled to the same places a lot! Mexico being #1, but each trip I’ve taken holds a place in my heart. I would have to say that travelling back to Holland after I nannied there was a surreal experience. I went to visit the family I nannied for and all the kids had grown up! It almost made me feel a bit sad, but also happy. I guess this is what many teachers feel like when they see students who they’ve taught, grow up and become adults. It was also a meaningful trip for me because I was able to visit my extended family (my grandparents were both from Holland). Another trip that I look back on often was going to Alaska. I went on this trip with my dads side of the family. My uncle, aunty, cousins, grandparents, my dad and sister. It made me realize how important relationships are in life, and I hope I can carry that understanding forward into my teaching career.