Kayla M. › SmartSitting

Family Application

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A recent graduate (December 2009) of Pace University, I majored in Anthropology and Sociology ... meaning people are my passion! I have vast experience with working with kids over the years, from basic babysitting gigs to volunteering in South Africa for almost two years in an orphanage, to working with kids with special needs (not to mention I have two beautiful little sisters of my own!). I want to get some solid work experience for a year or two before I pursue my Masters degree in Cultural Anthropology, and what a more enriching way to make human connections and learn about people than working with inspiring little people?

In my free time, my hobbies include music (singing, songwriting, playing the guitar, ukulele and harmonica, and dancing my little heart out), reading a good book, visiting new museums, the GREAT outdoors (I’m an upstate, Adirondack’s girl at heart) and cooking (yum!).

Education

Pace University, 2010

B.A. Anthropology/Sociology

Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 2008

Certificate in Community Engagement. Service Learning in Community Development

Childcare experience:

10+ years, afterschool sitter
1.5 years (and continuing!), afterschool sitter for a wonderful SmartFamily
2 years, tutor in Stellenbosch, South Africa
1.5 years, full-time nanny in Manhattan

Availability:

Monday - Friday (except Tuesday): 7am-5pm
Tuesday: 7am-3pm
Available most holidays/weekends/weeknights (after 8pm)

Long-term availability:

Available until December 2011.

I will be SmartSitting while...

Putting together applications for graduate school and taking intensive banjo lessons.

My childcare expertise lies in working with...

Kids from age 13 months old to 6 years old. I am most familiar with toddlers (currently with two 2 1/2 year olds, a 3 1/2 year old and a 4 year old). I am also very comfortable with infants.

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

Spanish (and in the VERY rare case Afrikaans), traveling stories, imagination, music (ukulele, banjo, guitar, blues harmonica, and voice), dancing (just for fun!), cooking vegetarian cuisine, and yoga.

Most memorable childcare experience:

When I was working in Kayamandi, South Africa I was a tutor and mentor for three primary school-aged girls (11 and 12 years old). Though the entire experience was a dream, there are a few distinguished days that stick out. After we'd finish the lesson we'd always have a half hour left at the end at our leisure, and I took the opportunity to introduce the girls to the power of music. I would bring in bongos or harmonicas, ukuleles and kazoos, or some days I would just bring in my iPod and speakers and we'd listen. One of the girls I became especially attached to. Her name was Mpho, but I called her Beyonce after her favorite artist, and because although she was extremely shy, once she built up the courage to sing in front of me she had an amazing, sultry voice.

At the end of the school year, the learners had to write their own memoirs. They had to write about whom the inspiration in their lives came from and where they wanted to be in ten, twenty and fifty years. As we walked through the classroom and read the numerous Nelson Mandela and (believe it or not) Jay-Z inspired writings, I stopped and looked at Beyonce's and she was extremely apprehensive to let me take a peak. Finally she mustered up the drive and turned to a page where she drew a picture of herself and me at Mama Mia, one of the musical movies I took her and her other two peers to see in Stellenbosch. The fact that I was who inspired her was beyond flattering and endearing, but the fact that she continued to say I inspired her to take up music and become a famous singer, was really what it was all about.

In 5 years, I hope to be...

Well on my way to obtaining a PhD in Applied Anthropology and Nutrition, opening a Health and Wellness Center, and Performing at Telluride Bluegrass Festival.