Amy, gardienne professionnelle à Welland west L3C

I have three diplomas, one in Early Childhood Education, one in Educational Assistant Special Needs Support, and the other in Autism and Behavioural Sciences. My husband and I started a family and now I have three amazing children. With my love for education and learning, I have decided to expand my opportunities and knowledge by using them at home.

When I was young, my favorite activity was playing school. My parents constructed my very own classroom in our basement. Every day after I completed my homework, I would retreat to the basement and pretend that I was leading my own class. In the old, dusty basement, my passion for teaching was born, even though I was only in elementary school. My interest for school is very important to me and my teachers noticed this. They fostered my love for school. All of the teachers were different, but they helped me to develop me succeed in school. I knew I wanted to be able to help other kids the way they helped me.

As I continued through elementary, middle, and high school, my passion for teaching continued to grow. I babysat, worked at a daycare, and was a volunteer camp counselor. People continually told me that I am great with kids. I knew my future profession. I needed to become an educator.

In 2005, I was accepted into the Early Childhood Education program. I continued to dream of the day when the dusty basement would be transformed into a classroom of my own. Every course gave me the teaching tools I needed. I loved being at School because I was immersed in classroom every semester. After completing the Early Childhood Education program, I decided to go back to school and take the Educational Assistant Special Needs Support program in 2007. The reason I choose this field was the satisfaction in educating a person with special needs become more independent. I find that there is no better thrill in my career to watch the progress of a student. I also loved my professors because they were classroom teachers. They not only taught me research and theory, but they gave me helpful advice from the trenches of teaching. When I was finally able to become a Educational Assistant, I was placed with a supervisor and an amazing cooperative teacher. They allowed my gifts to shine. I used this time to implement all the ideas I had collected. It was truly a dream come true. At the end of my Educational Assistant placement, I knew I was ready.

In fall 2012, I have completed the Autism and Behavioral Sciences program. I continually evaluate my performance as an educator. This enables me to refine, modify, and change my abilities to meet the needs of different children.

Now I understand why my parents have taught me to reach for the goals in my life and keep family close. And I will teach my children the same core values.

I will provide morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack for your children. Our daily schedule will be filled with lots of fun activities including crafts, baking, music, reading, imagination play, outside play and circle time.