About me

Hello, my name is Sonja, and I grew up in Portland, ME. As a child, I was very energetic and imaginative; I loved to read, write, play outside, catch frogs, build forts, improvise dance routines and play dress up. When I was a junior in high school, I graduated early and moved to New Mexico for my first year of college where I studied Indigenous Liberal Studies and Poetry at the Institute of American Indian Arts. After my first year, I transferred to the University of Iowa to pursue writing and later graduated with a BA in English and Creative Writing. After graduating, I took a year off to travel around Cuba and Mexico and apply to MFA programs. Once I was accepted into the MFA program at New York University I moved to New York City and have been living here since!

I have lots of experience with kids and young adults of all ages! Most recently, I've been working with middle school through college aged kids, teaching them creative writing and essay writing at NYU, Legal Outreach and Writopia Lab. For two years, I was a nanny for a ten-year-old boy where I planned activities, transported him, helped with homework, and prepped meals. I've worked as a camp councilor at a Montessori camp in New Mexico with elementary aged kids where we farmed, swam, wrote, danced and did yoga, among other activities. I also have lots of experience as a professional care provider working with kids and young adults with cognitive and physical disabilities. My siblings went to Waldorf school and I'm very familiar with Waldorf and Montessori philosophies, values and aesthetics.

I love children and young adults because of their energy, creativity, imagination, inventiveness and openness to the world. I also strongly believe it is through education that we can empower youth and promote social change. As a childcare provider, I'm kind, patient, loving, responsible, encouraging and always positive. Its my priority to make sure my kids always feel safe, engaged, and nurtured (emotionally, spiritually and intellectually).