About me

In Ansonia, CT, I grew up with two younger sisters, one older sister, and a younger brother. My brother has autism, so it became second nature at a very young age to adapt to situations that might be a little complicated or challenging. I learned how to relate to other kids and adults with different disabilities or challenges simply by being Michael’s sister. I was always very theatrical as a child, and have always looked up to physical comedians such as Dick Van Dyke, Carol Burnett, and Robin Williams for inspiration in my creative play as a kid, as well as in work in the theater I did as a teenager and young adult. I’m a very firm believer that the best way to connect with a person is to figure out what makes them laugh.

I have worked with children on a professional level for fifteen years. I worked as a one-on-one special ed aide in the local middle school and high school, working with children with autism and a child with Down syndrome. From there, I worked in various daycares, working with kids from six weeks old to ten years old. Being exposed to such an extensive range of ages allowed me to become comfortable with switching gears when it comes to keeping the child engaged and developing communication skills specific to each age group. I eventually started working as a nanny. I had some temporary and on-call positions with infants (I took care of one-month-old twins for a couple of weeks in a temp position), toddlers, preschool students, and school-age kids. I also had a few full-time jobs that allowed me to meet the children’s needs more effectively since we had had that time to get to know each other, and I could anticipate their needs.

Over the years, I have developed a sense of balance between consistency and fun. I like to make sure the children I care for are comfortable enough with me to be silly and have a good time, but also understand that when I set a limit or expectation, I expect it to be met to the best of their ability. I love watching kids discover new things, not only about the world around them but about themselves.