About Genet

Hello! I'm Genet, and I love being with and caring for children of all ages. I have an Early Childhood Education certificate and four years work experience in preschools and K-12 (from 2011-2015), as an Instructional Assistant--both classroom, and one-on-one in special education, in SMMUSD. I interned at Samohi Infant-Toddler Center in 2010/2011, working with 6-8 babies, ages 3-18 months (primary job) and also with 10-12 toddlers, 18 months to 3 years old. I did everything from bottle feedings, soothing, diapering, preparing and giving snacks, reading, storytelling, playground interaction and supervision, game playing, art activities too, of course, clean-up! It was a very lively and fulfilling experience. Before I started teaching English in adult school, which I did for 19 years (full-time tenured position), I had over 8 years nanny/babysitting experience, infants to teens, including a one-year nanny job working 8-10 hour days for a family with four children, aged 3 months, 2 1/2 years, 3 1/2 years, and 7 years. I have tutored children from kindergarten (current) to college (SMC student, for 1 1/2 years, in English, composition, and psychology). I have a B. A. in English and an M. A. in cultural anthropology, both from UC Davis (3 years at UC Irvine). I am a published poet and have worked as a Community Artist with California Poets in the Schools. I've also taught Expressive Arts groups (problem-solving life's challenges and building self-esteem through journal/poetry writing and art) for at-risk students, elementary through high school in Westside schools for the past 16 years, and have edited and published 10 anthologies of my students' creative work.. After nearly 20 years teaching adults full-time, I decided I wanted to work only with children, as that is where the joy is for me. I had become the primary full-time caregiver for my mother for six years near the end of her life, and as that responsibility became more intense, it was clear that I needed work where I could be on-call as a substitute so I would be able to respond to family care giving emergencies. I decided to work as an Instructional Assistant rather than a teacher, thinking that would be less stressful during the time I was devoted to caring for my mom. Starting work as a Children's Center substitute (preschool) with SMMUSD, I expanded to working all grade levels, was also trained in special education, then trained and was certified as a Behaviorist. In 2014-2015, I had a 7-month assignment as a one-on-one aide in the classroom for an amazing girl (10 years old), with some hearing, learning, and coordination challenges, who I helped attain 4th grade level in reading, writing, social studies, and math. I also assisted other students in class with their work, and served as the para-educator/caring adult "constant" while the teacher was out with maternity issues, and many different substitute teachers came in.. This summer school session I worked as a Para-Educator 3 in Point Dume Elementary preschool with teacher Lakin Crane, working with five extremely active 3-4-year-olds with special needs. I was primarily responsible as a one-on-one aide for a 4-year-old boy who had numerous seizures during the school day. I am trained in CPR, and will attend additional training sessions in September. I am now choosing to work full-time as a nanny/tutor because I would like to focus my attention on one family, and have the continuity and satisfaction of getting to know well, and be part of the growth and development of, those children. I am a very nurturing, positive, supportive, fun and energetic person who 'comes from the heart.' I also love to facilitate the learning process with children, making learning an exciting, 'puzzle-solving' experience for them. I'm an excellent, conscientious driver, own a Subaru Forester (chosen for its safety record), am happy to do drop-off/pick-ups as well as light housekeeping and meal preparation. I love animals, and am fine with animal care. I'm also flexible re: hours, am willing to work some later week nights or weekend nights/days. I look forward to talking with and, hopefully, meeting you!