About Me

My name is Rachel.  I am the mother of a six year old and a six month old.  I have taught elementary school, grades kindergarten through third, for 8 years in Cabarrus County.  I also have some experience teaching college.  I spent a semester teaching Early Childhood Education majors at CPCC about how children acquire language and how they learn to read.  I have a bachelor's and a master's degree in Early Childhood Education with a pre-k and ESL add-on.  I was Teacher of the Year for Wolf Meadow Elementary for the 2009-2010 school year. 

I am certified in CPR and in first-aid by The American Red Cross.  In my spare time I teach Zumba classes at a local kids gym to children and adults. 

On June 13, 2011 I made the boldest move of my life, I quit my job.  It was a bittersweet ending to a long career of doing something I loved.  There were many reasons that led to this decision, but I will tell you about one here.  My daughter was born on January 9, 2011.  When she was 6 weeks old I went back to work and took her to a sitter who I felt was part of my family.  She had taken wonderful care of my son when he was a toddler so I trusted her.  I had discussions with her from the start about not letting my tiny baby sit and cry all day.  It brought tears to my eyes to imagine my child crying and no one helping her.  If my child had been at home I would have comforted her so I certainly expect someone I am paying to do the same.  On her fifth day I arrived at my sitter's home to find my child completely covered in tiny red bumps, her eyes swollen shut, and short of breath.  She had been crying, the doctor said for at least an hour.  She was six weeks old!!  When questioned the sitter verified that she had been crying because she wanted her bottle and didn't want to wait for it.  I was furious and heartbroken.  The sitter told me that even if my child were the only child there she would not be held all day.  I was told I should make my child more "independent" and that I couldn't pay someone to give her the attention I would at home.  I rememeber thinking in that very moment, "You are wrong.  Someone could pay me to hold their baby all day and take of their child as if he/she were my own."  My daughter never went back to that sitter.  I felt an overwhelming need to offer childcare services so that I could help families find a loving, safe, and nurturing home for their child.  For the rest of the school year I worried every second about my daughter.  My performance at work suffered.  I want parents of the children I keep to feel comfortable going to work, knowing that their children are in good hands.  When my son was little I witnessed first hand the huge impact an amazing caregiver can have on a family.  I strive to provide that comfort and happiness for the families of the children I keep.

Here are a few links I love.  I hope you will love them too!

*Preschool children love this website to help them learn letters and sounds!  www.starfall.com

*Junie B. Jones is a fun, popular character in beginning chapter books.  Visit her web-site with your preschooler to help him/her learn how to manipulate a mouse and have fun at the same time. http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/junieb/

*Eric Carle is one of my favorite children's authors.  Visit him at www.eric-carle.com

*If you are a breastfeeding mom you can donate your breastmilk.  Sometimes babies are born so early their mom's body doesn't produce milk.  These babies are often 3 pounds or smaller and can only survive with human milk.  They rely on moms to donate breastmilk to literally keep these babies alive.  Milkin' Mamas is a non-profit organization based in California that collects milk from all over the United States and helps distribute the donated milk to NICU babies.  If you are interested in learning more or becoming a donor check out their web-site at www.milikinmamas.com

*Need maternity, infant, family, or wedding photos?  Cassie Marsh at Cassie Leigh Photography is wonderful! www.cassieleigh.com