Wendy Andrick
- BSW - Certified Children’s Hatha Yoga Instructor for Special Needs
In 1997 Wendy completed her Bachelors of Arts and Science in Social Work at the University of Montana with a minor in Spanish and Native American Studies. During this time she worked as a specialist at Watson's Children Shelter where she served a wide population of children from the community, in foster care and who were residing at the shelter. Wendy was in charge of supervising staff, students and organizing developmentally appropriate activities for the infant, toddler, preschool and after school programs.
Upon graduating, Wendy’s career goals switched to teenagers and I spent over 10 years in a variety of capacities working with adolescents on a counseling level. From group homes to probation, juvenile detention to boarding schools for struggling teens. Upon the birth of her daughter Maya, Wendy’s world shifted as she entered the world 3 1/2 months prematurely and has several special needs as a result.
That is when her journey lead her to Yoga for the Special Child. Wendy became certified in Yoga in 2009 and plans to pursue the teaching and practice of Yoga. Wendy is honored to be a part of the team at School of Enrichment and share the joys of Spanish and Yoga. Wendy believes passions and healthy living are an important part of education.
Kara Girard
- BS - Art & Education
– Substitute Director
Miss Kara Girard is beginning her second school year with School of Enrichment. Kara has always been interested in education and the process of learning and especially enjoys working with young children, helping them build confidence in their ability to achieve, both academically and socially. Kara graduated from Southern Oregon University with a Bachelors of Science in Art and Education. She learned a great deal in her formal college courses about education, teaching mathematics, writing and working with exceptional learners. In 2007 she joined the Peace Corps and taught English in the Peoples Republic of China for 2 years. Last Spring, she began as a School of Enrichment Specialist teaching an exciting new class on Chinese language and culture. Kara took on the great opportunity of teaching at Enrichment Summer Camps where every week we explored a different educational theme. Kara is very excited about the upcoming school year and her role as substituted director! Miss Kara is also the Program Director of our After School Program Monday through Friday from 3:15-5:30 focusing on Cultures Around the World. Kara creates a safe, appropriately challenging, and fun learning environment for students in her class.
Katie Brandow
- MSW – Founder
Katie attended the University of Oregon where she received a Bachelors of Arts in Social Science with an emphasis in Sociology and received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Portland State University. Katie has spent the last 11 years in the non-profit sector. Katie is a certified Early Words instructor and has taught parenting education courses and evidence based programs for the Family Resource Center and The Commission on Children and Families. Katie has worked throughout Central Oregon with teenage girls in substance abuse prevention and mentoring programs. Katie is a Regional Director with Maple Star Oregon, an agency that promotes growth and wellbeing in youth and families and influences policies to prioritize prevention services, parent education and family preservation. Katie Brandow has been involved with School of Enrichment prior to opening our doors in 2007. Katie is mom to five year old Neve and one year old Liv Dylan. Katie believes that early childhood experiences in a supportive environment teaches socialization and coping skills creating well rounded children and adults, ready to take on the world.
Katie and her husband Darren recognized the need for a quality, enriching and balanced early childhood program in Bend. After several months of planning, they opened the door to an excited community of parents who were equally eager to have their child participate. Her excitement continues as the program continues to grow into something more amazing each day.
Heidi Miller
- M. Ed. – Director
Heidi Miller has been a resident of Bend for her entire life and this is a community that is very much a part of her life. Heidi graduated in 2005 from OSU Cascades Campus with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree and a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She then pursued a Master of Arts Teaching Degree from George Fox University in 2007. Heidi is a Literacy and Language specialist and carefully oversees the curriculum for all of School of Enrichment’s programs. Teaching is the profession that Heidi always wanted to pursue and teaching is a great passion of hers. Heidi has been professionally working with children since 2004 and enjoys it greatly. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband William and her daughter Gianna.
Amanda Barnhart
– Lead Teacher
Amanda Barnhart began as a substitute for School of Enrichment during the 2009-10 school year and we are proud to announce her current role as Lead Teacher. Amanda moved to Bend from Salinas, California and has been in Oregon for three years. She started her career as a teacher at the young age of 12 working in the Sunday school at her church. By age 15, she was doing lesson planning and directing her own classroom. Being a preschool teacher has been Amanda’s lifelong dream. Amanda also has experience as a nanny and has been a nanny for two young boys for the last three years. Although she enjoys children of all ages, she is fascinated by two and three year olds. Amanda started her college education at Monterey Peninsula College in California in Early Childhood Education and is continuing her pursuit at Central Oregon Community College. Amanda’s hands on experience as a nanny and teacher have definitely given her the confidence to take her knowledge and apply it in the classroom. This is going to be an exciting year for Amanda, being able to teach in such an amazing program as well as finishing up her degree is her dream coming true! Spend some time with her and you’ll sense the genuine enthusiastic energy.
Natalie Barnhouse
- MS, NCC – Child Life Specialist
Professional Profile
Miss Natalie Barnhouse will join us again for the 2010-11 school year as School of Enrichment’s Child Life Specialist. Miss Natalie has her Masters Degree in Counseling, and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. She is profoundly talented with young children. She is excited to join us again as our Child Life Specialist focusing on the social- emotional development of your child. All of us at School of Enrichment see the value of developing emotional expression in young learners. Doing so builds children’s self-esteem, strengthens their resilience in life challenges, and encourages pro-social interaction between children and families. Much of your child’s school curriculum already highlights social and emotional development; however the School of Enrichment’s Social Emotional Development program aims to exclusively focus on exploring, identifying, expressing, and managing their natural emotions in a healthy and age appropriate manner. Natalie is in private practice and School of Enrichment highly recommends her.
Megan Mackeson
– Arts & Technology Specialist
Megan Mackeson has been involved with School of Enrichment for nearly two years. Miss Megan’s first job is a stay at home mom to a smart little two year old named Cade. Megan has primarily been a substitute for the last two years but will join us this fall as our Arts and Technology Specialist. Megan sews, creates, does digital scrapbooking, blogs, creates artistic jewelry and these are just some of the things she does. She has her own business, Designs by Meg, and has assisted in projects with School of Enrichment such as our Drop ‘N Hop flyer. Megan has a lot of fun and exciting projects planned for the 2010-11 school year. Megan’s goal is for the kids to have fun with their art projects and to send projects home that are practical and memorable for your family. Megan will introduce basic technology such as dialing their phone number; help your preschooler learn important information and access digital music. Rest assured that these activities will have a corresponding permission slip and will be done in small groups with supervision. Megan looks forward to the school year and getting to know you and your students!