My Mentors
The Power of Ease Keys
Teresa Posakony is one of my dearest mentors. She and her team of two other women are working to mitigate the impacts of digital devices on our brains and bodies! Her imaginative work with animals and body movement to is, I think, ground-breaking and what the world desperately needs! Her work inspires a great many of my videos and class songs.
Community Resilience Initiative
I have taken two full-day certifications with their keynote speaker and trainer, Rick Griffin, and have a regular mentorship with the director of community engagement, Becky Turner. Her sharing with me her experiences in social services–particularly with reintegration for formerly incarcerated adults–deeply informs my approach with children and adults.
Trusted Adult Training
Kathleen Donaldson (BS) and Lucianne Hackbert (PHD) with Teresa Posakony have developed a calm and connected toolkit for adults to help build trust with the youth in their lives. My full-day training in Yakima with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) empowered me with the science proving how impactful music can be for helping our youth be resilient to trauma.
Kids At Work
The greatest influence on my teaching style was at Kids At Work–one of the first spaces in NYC to establish interactive classes for toddlers with art, free play, music, and outdoor fun all through the gentle approach of Reggio Emilia. I found a home there beside Teachers Raquel, Julie and Stephanie, two of whom have their degrees in early childhood development and elementary psychology. This was my starting place and I am forever grateful for the beautiful songs and gentle communication skills that I learned while there.
The Body Keeps the Score
This book helped begin a new wave of PTSD research in veteran soldiers, victims of sexual assault and children with experiences of high trauma.
A Transformative Moment
Van Der Kolk writes of a personal experience in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1997 where he encounters a group of women who are victims of rape, all of them completely despondent and unresponsive and then…
"Then one of the women started to hum, while gently swaying back and forth. Slowly a rhythm emerged; bit by bit other women joined in. Soon the whole group was singing, moving, and getting up to dance. It was an astounding transformation: people coming back to life, faces becoming attuned, vitality returning to bodies. I made a vow to apply what I was seeing there and to study how rhythm, chanting and movement can help to heal trauma."
Core Influences
Mr. Rogers
His genuine sweetness and unwavering kindness has touched many of us. I would give anything to be the next "Miss Rogers." Not to marry him! 😅 But to be that supportive, loving adult on the screen whenever you need her.
Kermit, The Frog
"The Lovers, the Dreamers, and me." No single character or song has impacted my desire to touch the world with kindness more than Kermit. He is my guiding light and I cry every time I watch any of the Muppet Movies. 😂
Big Bird
This lovable lug was yet another of Jim Henson's creations that made me believe in kindness to all. Big Bird is so open to his emotions and so in love with his community.