Hi. My name's Sarah. Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and get to know a little about me. I am happily married for the last seven years to my husband, Will, whom I have been with since late 2001. While we do not have children of our own, I have focused my career on helping kids as an Educational Assistant with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and during my summers I have taken time to help families like yours by taking care of school aged children. Over the last seven years I have had many opportunities to work with children from different age groups. I very much enjoy working with school aged children because they want to learn everything they can and I believe that I could help with that by planning engaging activities. Your children can expect to have games to play, crafts to do and learn new things throughout the day. As a professional Education Assistant during the school year, I enjoy structure coupled with an understanding that kids will indeed be kids. That they crave some borders, but flourish when encouraged and inspired. As a Nanny during the summer time I have had the pleasure of working with families with children who had special needs. These summer experiences often inspire me to learn something new and compliment my experiences. In my spare time I like to keep busy. I often start my days off with a morning workout and when I find myself idle, I try to busy myself with one of my crafts. I really enjoy making collages, which has me collecting and cataloging clippings from all sorts of mediums. I also like to make jewellery and do bead work and I also paint in mixed media format. As for likes and dislikes? That is difficult. I am very easy going and adaptable. If I encounter something I do not like, I tend to express myself in a calm and mature manner and attempt to address it. I don't believe in bottling up what I think or feel and I believe this lends to my calm and rational nature. Again, thanks for taking the time to read this short bio about me. I hope you like what you read and encourage you to contact me as soon as possible should you have any other questions.

Language Learning Disability During the school year I am a Casual Educational Assistant and have spent most of my time working with children with disabilities. I have experience working with Autism, Asperger’s and even physical disabilities while at the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre. This past year I have been working with a grade 2 student diagnosed with language learning disability. To help overcome this obstacle, I assisted the student with improving fine motor skills by using therapeutic putty exercises. We also practiced phonics and reading skills with the use of an iPad which appeared to be a very engaging tool. I helped the student to be more independent through the use of non-verbal cues and/or cards, a visual schedule and a token program for reducing aggressive behaviours as well as created Body Break routines based on the needs of the student. Down syndrome, Diabetes and Celiac I worked with a child diagnosed with Down syndrome, Diabetes and Celiac last during summer of 2011. The child’s parents tasked me with keeping a strict routine and dietary schedule of which I followed with precision. In addition to that, the child had two younger siblings to watch over as well. I was looked to for lunch time meals, but also to schedule and plan outings as a group or individually. During inclement days, we stayed in and played games and did crafts. Asperger syndrome and Phenylketonuria (PKU) When I completed my Child and Youth Worker studies in 2009 and through to summer 2010, I had the pleasure working with a family and their son who was diagnosed Asperger syndrome and Phenylketonuria (PKU). I had some experience through my practicum by this point in helping students with special needs, but this was my true first one-on-one experience. I was looked to for working on fine motor skills, behaviour programming, and dietary needs, planning outings and reporting to parents on progress. While I only worked during the summers and holidays with the family, I was often called to step in and take care of the child and his older sibling in times of need. Language Learning Disability During the school year I am a Casual Educational Assistant and have spent most of my time working with children with disabilities. I have experience working with Autism, Asperger’s and even physical disabilities while at the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre. This past year I have been working with a grade 2 student diagnosed with language learning disability. To help overcome this obstacle, I assisted the student with improving fine motor skills by using therapeutic putty exercises. We also practiced phonics and reading skills with the use of an iPad which appeared to be a very engaging tool. I helped the student to be more independent through the use of non-verbal cues and/or cards, a visual schedule and a token program for reducing aggressive behaviours as well as created Body Break routines based on the needs of the student. Down syndrome, Diabetes and Celiac I worked with a child diagnosed with Down syndrome, Diabetes and Celiac last during summer of 2011. The child’s parents tasked me with keeping a strict routine and dietary schedule of which I followed with precision. In addition to that, the child had two younger siblings to watch over as well. I was looked to for lunch time meals, but also to schedule and plan outings as a group or individually. During inclement days, we stayed in and played games and did crafts. Asperger syndrome and Phenylketonuria (PKU) When I completed my Child and Youth Worker studies in 2009 and through to summer 2010, I had the pleasure working with a family and their son who was diagnosed Asperger syndrome and Phenylketonuria (PKU). I had some experience through my practicum by this point in helping students with special needs, but this was my true first one-on-one experience. I was looked to for working on fine motor skills, behaviour programming, and dietary needs, planning outings and reporting to parents on progress. While I only worked during the summers and holidays with the family, I was often called to step in and take care of the child and his older sibling in times of need. Summer Camp Experience When I have not a nanny during the summer, I have found other opportunities to learn more about children and grow professionally. After graduation in summer of 2009 I was part of a team as a Senior Counsellor with Andrew Fleck Child Care Services. As a team we organized activities with other counsellors for groups of 12 children as well as activities for the whole camp. Each counsellor was assigned a junior counsellor, who was often a high school student, and together we were responsible for the health and safety for a group of children. During the summer of 2010 I transitioned to Head Counsellor with Ottawa-Carleton Children’s Village. I managed a group of up to 10 children, 7 – 12 years old, with day-to-day routines including two outings per week across the city of Ottawa. In addition I organized a weekly budget for each child and taught new skills like arts/crafts, games, life skills, confidence and self-esteem. Additional Experiences/Qualifications: Autism Spectrum Disorder This past year I have worked with a grade 1 student diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I helped to improve student’s interaction with surroundings through the use of modeling skills utilizing Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) along with verbal echoing to student ensure correct response. We have worked on fine motor and with beading, pre-school level puzzles and creating patterns with blocks. Also developed knowledge of numbers 1-5 and letters of name through verbal and nonverbal recognition. I have assisted student with improving socialization by teaching how to greet people verbally with eye contact and with appropriate body language cues. Language Learning Disability In 2012, I have worked with a grade 2 student diagnosed with language learning disability. To help overcome this obstacle, I assisted the student with improving fine motor skills by using therapeutic putty exercises. We also practiced phonics and reading skills with the use of an iPad which appeared to be a very engaging tool. I helped the student to be more independent through the use of non-verbal cues and/or cards, a visual schedule and a token program for reducing aggressive behaviours as well as created Body Break routines based on the needs of the student. Down syndrome, Diabetes and Celiac I worked with a child diagnosed with Down syndrome, Diabetes and Celiac last during summer of 2011. The child’s parents tasked me with keeping a strict routine and dietary schedule of which I followed with precision. In addition to that, the child had two younger siblings to watch over as well. I was looked to for lunch time meals, but also to schedule and plan outings as a group or individually. During inclement days, we stayed in and played games and did crafts. Asperger syndrome and Phenylketonuria (PKU) When I completed my Child and Youth Worker studies in 2009 and through to summer 2010, I had the pleasure working with a family and their son who was diagnosed Asperger syndrome and Phenylketonuria (PKU). I had some experience through my practicum by this point in helping students with special needs, but this was my true first one-on-one experience. I was looked to for working on fine motor skills, behaviour programming, and dietary needs, planning outings and reporting to parents on progress. While I only worked during the summers and holidays with the family, I was often called to step in and take care of the child and his older sibling in times of need. Summer Camp Experience When I am not a nanny during the summer, I have found other opportunities to learn more about children and grow professionally. After graduation in summer of 2009 I was part of a team as a Senior Counsellor. As a team we organized activities with other counsellors for groups of 12 children as well as activities for the whole camp. Each counsellor was assigned a junior counsellor, who was often a high school student, and together we were responsible for the health and safety for a group of children. During the summer of 2010 I transitioned to Head Counsellor. I managed a group of up to 10 children, 7 – 12 years old, with day-to-day routines including two outings per week across the city of Ottawa. In addition I organized a weekly budget for each child and taught new skills like arts/crafts, games, life skills, confidence and self-esteem.

OCDSB Employment Experience January 2010 – Present Casual Educational Assistant (board-wide) Ottawa Carleton District School Board Agincourt Public School (October-June 2013 - September-Febuary 2014 1 day a week) Intensive Behavioural Intervention at CHEO teaches autism student skills such as communication, socialization, independents, early academics, and play. Student is being integrated into school (age 7 / grade 2). Worked 1-on-1 with student on established programs/skills with own motivations to challenge. Modeled skills with the use of Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) partnered with verbal to and from student ensure correct response. Skills included in and outdoor dressing, toileting/hand washing starting and cleaning up activity. Continuous development of numbers 1-5 and letters of name through verbal and nonverbal recognition. Assisted in the development of fine motor and with beading, per-school puzzles and creating patterns with blocks. Improved socialization by teaching how to greet people verbally with eye contact Tracked students progress with a charting of how task was completed (verbal/nonverbal, modeling cues needed) and observational/response notes. Riverview Alternative School (Term-Position September-June 2012) Worked 1-on-1 with a student diagnosed with language learning disability (age 7 / grade 2) Demonstrated to the student with non-verbal cues on how to accomplish tasks and gain more independence with the use of a visual schedule Assisted student with improving fine motor skills by using therapy putty exercises Practice phonics and reading with ipad apps Implementing Body Break routines based on the needs of the student Documentation Document aggressive behaviour of student using ABC behaviour chart (antecedent, behaviour, consequence) Communication book is sent home with positive and/or negative behaviour often scribed in student’s words Token program for reducing aggressive behaviours Other Duties Help teacher with prep work Assisted other teachers with behaviour issues by taking students on Body Breaks Work with a small group of students to ensure tasks are completed to their best ability Organized games for a small group of students during schedule recess Used an ipad to create visual schedules and social stories Created visual schedule and PECS with BoardMaker software Other Schools Ottawa Technical Secondary School Autism Program and Behavorial Intervention Program (Periodically through September 2013- March 2014) Featherston Drive Public School Autism Program K-8 (Periodically through October 2013 - March 2014) Centennial Public School in Physical Support Program (Periodically through February- March 2013) Familiar with lifting/transferring, feeding, equipment (AFOs, Standers, walkers) Outside OCDSB Employment Experience Summer Childcare Provider three between ages 6-12, one with special needs The Barber Family July 2011- August 2011 Assisted child with Down Syndrome, Diabetes and Seliac. Including working on daily personal care, dietary needs, monitoring of diabetes and social skills. Prepared healthy snacks and lunches with following dietary needs. Planned weekly outings and crafts with children’s input. Head Counsellor – Transitions Camp Ottawa-Carleton Children’s Village June 2010 – August 2010 Managed a group of up to ten children, 7 – 12 years old, with day-to-day routines including two outings per week across the city of Ottawa. Organized a weekly budget for each child and taught new skills like arts/crafts, games, life skills, confidence and self-esteem. Education and Training Diploma in Child and Youth Worker (2009) Algonquin College, Ottawa WHMIS - An Introdution (Oct 2011) Ottawa Carleton District School Board, Ottawa Nonviolent Crisis Intervention 101 (Oct 2011) Ottawa Carleton District School Board, Ottawa ABA Strategies for Success Level 1 (Nov 2011) ASD School Support Program - CHEO, Ottawa Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C (June 2010, valid through to 2013) Canadian Red Cross, Ottawa Principles of Healthy Child Development (June 2010) High Five, Ottawa