“I’ve been in the early childhood field for over 20 years. I started out as a family childcare provider and from there began collecting various hats as opportunities presented themselves. I became an adult instructor with Northern Lights as well as served on many state and regional committees. I was a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission focused on affordable high quality childcare.
I have spent nearly half of my career in the field as a mentor and support specialist working with both home and center-based programs as well as individuals to set and achieve goals relating to program quality and education. I truly enjoy helping others and passing along the education that was bestowed upon me over the years. I am inspired by others and often find when I’m teaching that I learn as much from the students as they do from me.
I absolutely LOVE music. I fell in love with rock & roll at the age of 10. I remember saving up and purchasing my first cassette tapes – KISS, Motley Crue and Judas Priest. From the moment I heard the first note I was hooked. I have attended endless concerts, meet & greets and collected more memorabilia than one could ever need. My office is decorated with images and mementos from those same 3 bands. I often joke with colleagues that my office looks like a dorm room. I have a posable Gene Simmons figure holding his bass guitar in a pile of red & white confetti from one of the shows. I often talk about the wonder in a child’s eyes as they learn something navigating the world. I have this same wonder as I see my heroes take the stage or hear that first chord struck on a guitar.”
Rachel lives in the Springfield region and facilitates Fundamentals. She holds two associate degrees from Hesser College in marketing and small business management as well as a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Union Institute & University. Rachel is currently enrolled at Union Institute & University’s M.Ed program.
To find trainings offered by Rachel and many other talented trainers, visit the Northern Lights Training Calendar at https://northernlightsccv.org/training/training-calendar/