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This was my 2020 Padlet video made last year when the zoo was still open, without masks, and we had no idea of the upcoming pandemic.

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I was born and mostly raised in Southern California.  With a German mother and a British born father, I was fortunate enough to have spent some years schooling  and working abroad (Italy, England, Germany, Switzerland , Japan & Australia).  Travel and learning about the cultures and languages of others living on this amazing planet is my guilty pleasure (unfortunately put on hold until it is safe to do so again).
I am a mom to 3 young men (Devon, Brighton & Camden), two on each end of the Autism spectrum (both continuing to make me proud of their achievements, despite their challenges).  My youngest son, is working on his special ed teaching credential, as he was, and still is, such a great support to his older brothers.
I reconnected with my childhood sweetheart twelve years ago on facebook, and we have now been happily married living in Sherman Oaks for seven years!

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The Miracle Project, Sherman Oaks, CA
4-H Program, T.E.R.I., Oceanside, CA
YMCA Playground Partners, Carlsbad, CA
Junior Achievement - City Stuff Elementary School Program
Aviara Oaks Elementary School
Room Parent
Aviara Oaks Middle School
Room Parent
Hope Elementary School
Room Parent

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Currently enrolled - Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, California Masters in Organizational Leadership & Management

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Minors in Theatre and Visual Arts - University of California, San Diego

High School Diploma - The Buckley School, Sherman Oaks California

Elementary and Junior High Schools -
Queens College, London, England
The Hampshire School, London England
The Buckley School, Sherman Oaks, California

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Ready to indulge in Fish & Chips on the Isle Of Skye, Scotland!

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Peter & me on our 2019 flight to the UK 

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Peter & me on our 2019 flight to the UK 

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Twelve years ago, I found myself in the position of having to reenter the work force as a single parent.  Thanks to my personal and volunteering experiences advocating for my special needs boys, and the relationships I formed, I was able to accept a job position in the special education field.

I initially began work as a teaching assistant, first at T.E.R.I., Incorporated’s Country School in San Diego county.  A year later, I moved my family up to Los Angeles, and began work, again as a T.A. for The Help Group. Soon after, I took the CBEST examination, earning the 30 day Emergency teaching credential, and was daily leading diverse groups of students with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum disorders, behavioral challenge, and more.  Five years ago, I was asked to become the director of the Help Group’s Kids Like Me enrichment program at their Culver City campus.  This involved creating after school classes and camp programs, staffing, training employees, payroll, scheduling, meeting with families, conducting intakes, putting students in appropriate placements, leading parent support groups, marketing my programs, as well as being the director of The Help Group’s Annual Special Needs Resource Fair (which brought on average 600 attendees to the event, with approximately 75-80 exhibitors to the event).

Unfortunately, my position was eliminated at the end of 2019 as part of a downsizing of the organization.
In 2020, I worked in the temporary position as a U.S. Census Enumerator.  Although short-lived, it was a very rewarding and mind opening job!
I made the realization, that even though my extensive experience, skills and personal knowledge of so many aspects of running a business are strong, I need to further my academic credentials to move ahead, maximize my potential, and really make a difference in a company.  I believe the Master program at Pacific Oaks will help strengthen my leadership and presentation skills and advance my marketing techniques to compete in the digital and social media methods necessary for today’s companies.
I look forward to meeting all my fellow classmates!

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Devon & Me