Hi! My name is Maria. I've been a Special Needs teacher for the past 7 years. Prior to that, I worked in behavioral therapy, primarily with children. My 10 years of professional caregiving experience began when I was 18 and includes young people, adults, and seniors with needs ranging from assistance with daily living tasks, transportation, meal preparation, and medication management to tutoring, extracurricular activities, art lessons, and creating meaningful opportunities to engage with others. I love person-centered work, whether with an individual or an entire family! Supporting my older brother who has autism, as well as my mother who suffered a stroke in 2009, motivates me to care for others the way that I would want someone to care for my own family. I lead with kindness, empathy, and compassion, always seeing the best in everyone!