After finding out how expensive daycare would be for two kids, I finally got my wish of getting to stay home with my children. I needed to help my husband out with finances, so I decided I would see what it would be like having my own daycare. I loved being home with my children, but it was also very isolating. With Covid on the rise, I didn't get to leave the house and it made it hard. When the family I had began with decided to move away, I decided it would be best for all of us to look for something else to get us out of the house.

I worked as the Lead Preschool Teacher when I started back at Apple Tree. However, due to pregnancy complications, I had to try something different. I then became a helper in the infant room until I had my son in August.

I love being in a school district! The people are great and the children are so excited to learn new things. When I began in October, I shadowed the teacher I was taking over for because the school was getting ready for a transformation of more classrooms. I had two separate classes: one consisted of 3 year olds and one consisted of 4 year olds. I planned out age appropriate activities and schedules to help benefit all children. I worked together with my assistant and other special education teachers to make sure each child was learning to the best of their abilities. I was sad to see the end of the year draw near. I had always wanted to live close to our families and live back home again, but my husband had other plans.

When I began at Apple Tree Children's Center, I was the Assistant in the three-year old classroom. After a short time, I was then offered the Lead Teacher in the five-year old classroom.As the Lead Teacher in the five-year old classroom, I was very busy! I had 32 children in my care with 3 assistants. We are working with the Horizons curriculum, which gives the children a good foundation of letters, numbers, shapes, and their faith. Each week is planned out to help the children learn all sorts of subjects, such as Language Arts, Math, Physical Education, Bible, and Art.

I worked as a Co-Lead Teacher in the three-year old classroom up until I had my daughter. When I returned from maternity leave, I was an Assistant Teacher in the four-year old classroom. When a new opportunity arose, I became the Lead Teacher in the Infant classroom. I was then asked to become the Assistant Director. I gave the job a try, but after a few weeks realized it was not for me.

After leaving the school district, I knew I needed something to do for the summer. I began working at Apple Tree Children's Center the same day school got out as the School-Age Teacher. As the summer drew to an end, they offered me a position to stay. I accepted the position as the Lead Teacher in the two-year old classroom. With careful consideration, they shortly offered me the Lead Teacher in the three-year old classroom and I accepted. During my time in the two classrooms, I was allowed to plan my own activities based on a whole center theme.

During the school day, I was the Extended Learning Teacher. My classroom was available for families that needed their child in extra care when not in Preschool. Every morning and every afternoon was a different group of children. I planned out my own lessons, but had to follow their Preschool schedule too. It was so much fun!After school, I became the STRETCH Coordinator. In other words, I was in charge of the after school program. I planned out the schedule, the daily activities, made sure all the children and teachers were accounted for, and made sure the children had fun. I enjoyed it, but it was a lot of work.