Director & Head Morning Teacher: Lindsay [She/Her] I typically work with the children Mon-Weds/Thurs mornings and do admin work on the premises Mon-Wed afternoons. I can help (or substitute for) the other teachers as needed. I've been working with children since 2002! I ran my child care program alone for the first 15 years (took a break while in college for a year and was a Head Start Teacher), had one employee helping me for the next five years, and have recently expanded into having several wonderful employees - we make an AMAZING TEAM! And it has afforded me the privelege of being able to oversee my program as a director, and enjoy a better work-life balance (something I value for my employees, as well). I continue to work closely with the children and teachers to ensure the integrity of the program we offer. I am very invested in the quality of care that we provide. This work means the world to me! I also have an associate's degree, with an extra year of studies in early childhood education, child development, and family studies. In addition, I have over 400 other training hours related to child care, including courses such as: Making Learning Fun, Discipline in Child Care, Conflict Resolution in Child Care, Nurturing Children's Self-Esteem, Active or Hyper-Active?, Preschoolers in Child Care, Caring for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and many more. I've also joined CASA of Lane County as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to legal cases helping children in the foster care system. This is a volunteer position with a two year minimum time commitment for each case. Children are really my life, which everyone who knows me knows about me. I began working from home with children in 2002 to stay home with my own children, and quickly realized it's what gives my life its deepest sense of meaning and purpose! I absolutely love knowing how many lives I've touched in a positive way over the last 19 years. I value the positive impact I make on the child's heart, mind, and future, and how I help them build a solid foundation and strong sense of self. This is a life calling for me.❤️ With 22 years of experience and a college education centered around child development, I have recently opened my parent coaching services to the public. Formerly, I only offered them to the families in my care. Now, I can offer them more broadly. I do provide these via Zoom for families not in this area. My rate is $55 per hour session or $88 per two hour session. Please email TheHappyStepsPreschool@yahoo.com with any questions. My other interests: I have a two year diploma in medicinal herbalism and holistic health, I'm a writer (with many books published), and I love food, travel, nature, animals, and music! I've written a couple of books about children and several books for children, with many more children's literature novels to come! FIND THEM ALL HERE. Morning Teacher: Briana [She/Her] Briana joined us in January of 2024, with five years of experience working with preschoolers and pre-K children at both the YMCA and Oak Street Preschool, and she is currently the director of an after school program in the afternoons. She brings a very calm, positive, creative, kind, consistent energy to her work, and the children loved her immediately! She especially loves reading to them and getting them running around outside, encouraging them to make up new games and have lots of fun. Her hobbies include playing soccer, her dog, and time spent with her friends and family! Afternoon Teacher: Kaetlyn [She/Her] Kaetlyn brings a fun, bubbly, attentive energy to her work with the children! She is teacher qualified and was assistant teacher at Waypoint Early Learning Center for a year and a half, a nanny for a year and a half, and a summer counselor at Camp Harlow. She is a natural with children who guides and supports them in a positive and consistent way. She has been with us since summer of 2023, with long-term plans to stay on the team. Her hobbies include camping, rock finding, and cooking/creating new recipes! Full-Day Teacher: Blake [They/them] Blake has been a full-time teacher and substitute for Happy Steps since they became teacher qualified by the state of Oregon in 2017! Before that, they were a regular volunteer during summer break and grew up in our program. Blake is a great teacher and very loved by the children! They are fun, consistent with the kiddos, patient, playful, caring, and engaged. They especially love facilitating outside time, art projects, story time, and block play with the children. Blake's personal hobbies include swimming, bike riding, drawing, gaming, movies, and reading. www.TheHappyStepsPreschool.com |