Brandy

brandy

About Me:

After finishing my B.Ed in 2007 I had difficulty finding employment in Ontario so I went first to Mexico and then England to teach. I love these experiences but I would have never found the courage to attempt these moves without the strong support of my family. After spending most of two years out of the country, I wanted to settle back in Canada, but knew it would still be difficult to find a teaching position so I started to look for alternate fields working with children.
At this time, Channel 4 in the UK started their “Find Me a Family” series which set out to provide would-be adopters with hands-on experiences to encourage them to consider adopting the children who, too often, get overlooked. This exploration of the foster care system in the UK prompted me to research our own system. During this research I found Quinte Children’s Homes and the position of Parent Therapist. I was excited to pursue this position because it involved something that is lacking in teaching. I found in the classroom I could see the emotional problems of my students but could not devote the time needed to help.
I am excited to take on this position because in lets me become personally involved with the children that need the most support, the type of support that lead me to follow my dreams and travel the world.

Qualifications:

Education

  • B.A. in History from Carleton University
  • B.Ed in Primary/Junior education from Ottawa University
  • AQ Special education part 1 from Nipissing University
  • ABQ Intermediate mathematics from York University

Training

  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention
  • First aid

Experience

  • 7 months teaching grades 7-11 literature and writing in Torreon, Mexico.
  • 5 months as a day care worker Bowmanville, Ontario.
  • 3 months supply teacher in Peterborough, England.
  • 8 months grade 6 teacher in London, England.
  • 10 months CYW with Quinte Children’s Homes.

Description of Home

 

I live in a large (2800 square foot) home near downtown Trenton, walking distance from the hospital. The house has 5 bedrooms, 2 living areas, 1.5 baths, an eat in kitchen and 2 smaller office size rooms, it has plenty of room for children to grow. It is an old home that I am slowly updating and adding my personal style and touches to. I will encourage all children in my home to add their unique flare to their bedroom and around the common areas

Management Style

I plan to have a child centered management style. I plan to assess each child as an individual and build a program based on their needs. I will focus on positive reinforcements, self esteem and relationship building, as well as consistency in routines and behaviours.

My Interests

I have many interests that I would like to share with my foster children. I like to read, take long walks and watch movies. In the summer I love to spend time at my family’s cottage, in North Bay, where we have every type of water activity imaginable. My favourite times of the year are the summer and Christmas, when family feels closest. In the winter, I love to skate, toboggan and play in the snow. I biggest interest is travelling, and I hope to plan interesting trips both near and far for my new foster family.