Avigail W.

“ Hi there, I am a Temple student, currently taking the semester off to earn money for school. I am originally from a suburb of Seattle. I was drawn to Philadelphia because I wanted to work with children in the Jewish youth movement I grew up in. I am an art student hoping to educate after completing my degree.
I started caring for children as a teenager. Every adult who knew me well would suggest I teach or...

Hi there, I am a Temple student, currently taking the semester off to earn money for school. I am originally from a suburb of Seattle. I was drawn to Philadelphia because I wanted to work with children in the Jewish youth movement I grew up in. I am an art student hoping to educate after completing my degree.
I started caring for children as a teenager. Every adult who knew me well would suggest I teach or work with children. I shrugged it off until my grandmother at length described her observations of me with younger children. In turn, I reflected on those who have helped me grow and empowered me: my camp counselors, teachers, and the neighbor that babysat me after school.
I have worked as a babysitter for the past 10 years, mostly with infants and toddlers however this is not the bulk of my childcare resume. Below is a brief summary:
I worked part of a summer in a daycare. Changing diapers, feeding, putting kids down for naps, and organizing activities with other teachers. (Seattle)
Two months of intensive leadership training learning. Content included child development, organizing activities, giving/receiving feedback, and how to care for the health safety and well being of children in your full-time care. (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Six years as a camp counselor (overnight) caring for the health, safety, and well being of 9-16-year-olds. As well as acting as an educator. (During those years repeatedly receiving and using first aid/CPR certifications). These summers have by far been the most shaping experiences of my life. (Canada and Israel).
I have volunteered with mixed age groups of diverse backgrounds (special needs, ESL, religious, race etc). I tutored in an after school program for refugee children in Seattle. I taught English to 9-11-year-olds for 3 months in Israel after graduating high school.
Since moving to Philadelphia for school a few years ago, I spend many weekends running activities for children. I feel deeply invested in helping build children into empowered creative beings and I plan to do so as a career.
I am not exceptionally outgoing or extroverted. I mostly read, watch documentaries, or cook to relax. With children, I am comfortable describing myself as silly, imaginative and excited to go on the adventures that children create. I have an incredible patience but I am also capable of setting boundaries.
It's important to me that the families I work with respect me as someone who cares about their children not just as a worker.

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