About me

Hi! My name is Leah McKenna and I live in East Williamsburg, NY. I grew up in Westchester, NY as a creative kid who loved exploring, making art, and generally turning everything into an adventure. My parents and grandparents were teachers, and I grew up with a passion for learning and educating. I graduated from Scarsdale High School in 2016 and graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2020 with a BFA in Graphic Design. I began working at a tech startup in 2020, where I currently run marketing and graphic design. It has been a great opportunity for me, and I am excited to return to my journey as an educator and caregiver. I begin my Master's degree in Early Childhood Education in August 2023.

During high school, I spent my afternoons as an assistant after-school club teacher. However, my passion for education and childcare truly began when I got my first role working at the sleepaway camp which was formative to me as a child. I worked in a variety of roles with children ages 5-14 and was also a one-on-one aide to our campers with disabilities. I earned the senior title of Unit Director for girls ages 6-10 in 2018, where I oversaw a staff of 14. In recent years, in addition to my full-time job in marketing, I take on additional childcare roles, including monthly babysitting for a family with a four-year-old boy and a family with a three-year-old boy. I manage nap time, potty training, food prep, as well as bedtime routines. I spend some days with my parents as an additional helper during work-from-home hours. I have been lifeguard and CPR certified in the past.

During my time working at the summer camp, I spent hours encouraging my campers to explore their limitless imagination. We built forts out of branches, created art supplies out of flowers, and learned about tending a garden. The days were lengthy and challenging, but I look back on that time as some of the most meaningful work I have done. As I continue my career in childcare, I keep these experiences in mind. As a childcare professional and future teacher, I am eager to foster a space where children can explore their strengths without fear, without judgment and with unconditional support.