Melissa C.

Meet Melissa

• Speaks Spanish
• Comfortable with pets
• Has a car

I have more than 15 years experience as a caregiver and educator.  I adore children and believe that contributing to their healthy development is one of the highest purposes in life.  I am kind, compassionate, patient, and I have a passion for teaching children.  I have experience caring for a full range of ages from premature new borns to the geriatric population.  I am equally comfortable with all age ranges.  I have been a caregiver, and in some instances a counselor, for healthy well adjusted children, children with developmental disabilities, foster children with emotional problems and at risk children and youth.  I have a BA in communication and psychology with a concentration in developmental psychology.  I believe in keeping my mind and body very active and I have lots of energy and interest in engaging children in activities that support their healthy intellectual, physical and social growth.  I am very Read more socially conscious and environmentally aware.  I am a responsible and active citizen and I believe that service plays an important role in maintaining healthy sustainable communities.  I am fluent in English and Spanish.  I am a semi-professional photographer.  I have produced short documentaries that raise awareness about human rights issues.  I am very conscious about what I eat and I love a variety of sports, although I am particularly passionate about biking, hiking, soccer and snow boarding.  I believe that when children are listened to, respected, exposed to learning opportunities, allowed the time to engage in appropriate play, and their curiosity and talents are validated and encouraged that they begin to cultivate the tools necessary to become caring healthy individuals capable of reaching their full potential.  I use mistakes as a learning opportunity to teach them about the consequences of their actions and help them make better future decisions.  I am interested in knowing what the needs and interests of your children are in order to provide the most high quality care for them Professional experience (outside of babysitting) working with children I worked as a Youth Development Specialist for Peace Corps for 2 1/2 years .  I designed and facilitated recreational activities and after school programs for 100 at risk children.  I created and managed a female empowerment group that provided 169 hours of life skills workshops for 20 at risk female adolescents.  I designed and facilitated learning expeditions and a camp, which focused on self-esteem building and leadership for the female empowerment group. I worked as a Lead Field Instructor for Outward Bound NYC for 2 years .  I was responsible for the design and facilitation of 45 outdoor and urban education expeditions for inner city youth groups.  I used experiential learning to promote character-building experiences for the youth, focusing on such things as self-esteem, leadership, decision-making and service.  I monitored the safety of the courses.  I supervised the youth on backpacking expeditions, canoeing courses, and high and low ropes courses. I worked as a Behavioral Technician for Catholic Charities for 2 years .  I was responsible for foster children between the ages of 3 - 12 who had suffered multiple levels of abuse.  I worked as part of a treatment team to stabilize their behaviors in a residential treatment program.  I worked with a range of psychological diagnosis’s , including ADHD, ADD, anger management, impulse control, bi-polar, oppositional defiance disorders.  I implemented behavioral modification techniques in order to teach them healthy ways of coping with their anger and how to manage and heal from the traumas they suffered as a result of long-term exposure to child neglect and abuse.  I was also the Director of Recreation for the program. I worked for 1 year as a tutor/counselor at Upward Bound .  I designed academic plans and tutored high school students in math, English and history.  During a summer program I supervised a dormitory and was responsible for designing and facilitating life skills workshops for my dorm group, as well as supporting and contributing to the academic plans of the certified teachers.  Additionally, I facilitated and supervised recreational and academic trips. I worked for 1 1/2 years as a Family Support Specialist for Alternatives Inc .  I designed and facilitated recreational outings for children with developmental disabilities in order to provide respite service for their primary caregivers. I worked for 1 year as a caregiver in a Precious Moments Nursery for infants and toddlers.  I attended to all their basic needs and developed and supervised the playgroup.       .  

Trust & safety

Experience

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