Kayla M.

Hello!
Im Kayla Martin! I graduated high school in 2021, and after the summer I joined a program called AmeriCorps NCCC.

AmeriCorps is a government program that allowed me to travel in the pacific region of the country for 10 months with a team of 10 people, doing hands-on work to help various communities and the environment. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with children.

For about 6 weeks, I cared and entertained Afghan refugee children while they stayed at a refugee camp in southern New Mexico. There was a cultural and language barrier that was difficult to navigate at first, but that allowed me to learn other ways to communicate and bond with the children, including finding games that did not involve talking or explanation of rules. There where also times that I was able to learn words or phrases that the children would teach me from their language or vise versa. One of my favorite things was letting the young girls do my hair. I believe that this was a favorite memory of mine because it was such a simple thing that brought the children joy. There were not any issues with the language barrier because I would simply sit as they brushed or braided. It was a calming activity, and I enjoyed that time together because it was a great bonding experience.

I also had miscellaneous babysitting jobs during high school. I often cared for a specific family of three children that consisted of an infant, toddler, and elementary school student. Finding ways to entertain the older children while watching over an infant always proved to be a challenge; however, I learned ways to manage. When the infant needed my care or attention, I could set the older ones up with a creative project or some kind of productive activity or chore. Then, if the baby feel asleep, I could be more hands on with the children by coming up with games to play with them, reading them books, etc..

On top of babysitting jobs and working in AmeriCorps, I am also lucky enough to have two little brothers. Being 15 years older than them, they turned more into my children than brothers. I helped raise them for the first couple years of their life before I left for Americorps, as I often cared for them while my parents were not present.

I am passionate about working with children and would love to pursue a more permanent job in child care after I complete my service with AmeriCorps at the beginning of July.

Rate: $10/hour – $20/hour

Years of Experience:

1 year

CPR Certified:

No