Born and raised in Port Alberni, I have left and come back several times. I've raised my four children from kindergarten through to university as a single parent and pride myself on the positive and joy-filled relationship I hold with each of my children. Working with children was always my dream and I was gifted with walking paths that led me to each position I held. From working in a before and after school program to opening up my own business, to teaching at North Island College, my life has been an amazing journey. I was blessed with supportive parents who guided me in a gentle manner as to not push me in directions that did not fit.
I graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in English Literature and a minor in Psychology. My plan was to rebuild the Globe Theatre and breathe life back into Shakespeare in our community, however, behaviour took hold and pulled me into working and supporting children and families. I began as a behaviour aid in a grade two class and soon was giving workshops in our community on Behaviour, Autism, and Positive Parenting.
I have worked with children and families in my community, the West Coast, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay and Victoria for over 20 years and have gained a reputation for respect and grace. I believe in family and do all that I can to support families struggling with behavioural challenges of a child or help to develop behaviour plans for families, schools, agencies and organizations. I pride myself on being a good listener and a caring advocate. I work with teachers, administrators and social workers from MCFD and USMA, as well as families who are at their wits end. I opened my business, Fresh Steps Behaviour Consulting to reach as many families as I could. I leased a house and had support workers who worked one-on-one with children once I had developed a behaviour plan. After a positive five-year run, Covid closed my doors and North Island College opened theirs. I have completed my third year as a faculty member and can say I am very happy to be in my position. I do continue to support families, although not in as much detail as I have in the past.
My plan is to continue understanding and learning about behaviour challenges as well as dive deeper into the world of special needs as I see (and know) families struggle every day. Post Covid has had many mental health issues rise to the top and I would like to examine the behavioural effects on our children and their families. I will focus my professional time on these topics as they will (and have already) impacted our early learners.
I have an absolute passion for the arts and can be heard humming Broadway tunes in my office often. I wear many hats in my community, though my parent hat is the most important. My children are my heart, soul, pride and joy, and I am grateful to have them in my world. Once the final high school graduation occurred, I threw myself into the political wing to run as a Board of Education trustee and finished first above all.
I am grateful for my choices in life and look forward to turning the page to the next chapter in my early childhood world.
Janis
