Alexandra B. › SmartSitting

Family Application

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I am currently a special education teacher at a middle school in the South Bronx. I’ve realized the depth of my love for teaching which, despite the challenges of working at a high-need school, remains resolute; I still look forward to waking up and trying to reach each student and better their lives one day at a time. Raising a child is the most important job in the world and I love to help whether it is in the classroom or in a child’s home. I am passionate and nurturing by nature and I believe these characteristics enable me to relate and respond well to children.

Born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California, I grew up playing volleyball on the beach. My passion for the sport enabled me to earn a full scholarship to Texas A&M University, where I balanced a rigorous schedule playing volleyball and attending classes as a full-time student. During my tenure at Texas A&M, I was captain of the volleyball team for two years and earned the coaches award for leadership and work ethic. During the off-season, I spent my time coaching a 12-and-under girls’ volleyball team and a high school volleyball team. After college, I worked in the insurance industry and babysat my two younger brothers as well as another family’s two beautiful twins. It took me a few years after college to realize I was in the wrong profession – I needed to teach! Now, I am living my dream – working with kids all day long! I spend my free-time playing in a city volleyball league, spinning, running, practicing yoga, or reading.

Education

Touro College (2011-Present)

M.A. School Psychology

City College of New York, 2011

M.A. Teaching Students with Disabilities
Graduated with honors

University of Southern California, 2006

B.A. English Literature and Language
Magna Cum Laude

Texas A&M University, 2001-2004

B.A. English and Education
Member of the NCAA Division 1 Volleyball Team (Big 12)

Childcare experience:

5 years, after-school sitter (birth to 5 years)
2 years, volleyball coach
2 years, NYC public school teacher
5 years, sporadic babysitter (birth to 13 years)

Availability:

For the 2011 - 2012 school-year, I am available Monday through Thursday from 3:30pm to 10:00pm and on Friday from 3:00pm to midnight.
I am also available for occasional weekend sitting.

Long-term availability:

Indefinitely.

I will be SmartSitting while...

Continuing to teach at a middle school on the Lower East Side.

My childcare expertise lies in working with...

Children of all ages. I work with 12 to 14 year olds everyday but I LOVE watching younger children, especially infants. As a licensed special education teacher, I have experience working with students who have special needs as well.

Activities and skills I love to teach and share with children:

Sports such as volleyball, reading and math, and how to cook. I also love doing arts and crafts.

Most memorable childcare experience:

While I was in college, I babysat for a family on a part-time basis. I remember being extremely nervous the first time I sat for them because not only were the children twins, they were only six months old. I thought to myself, "how can I possibly hold two infants at once?" After watching them for a couple of hours, I was immediately put at ease. Kevin and Ava were absolutely amazing children and my love for them began the first time I watched them. I continued to watch Kevin and Ava for the next 4 years. To this day, when I visit them, they still remember my name!