Hannah began working with children in 2008 at the Family Student Housing Daycare & Preschool program at UC Santa Cruz. Though she majored in English-Language Literature, her true education came in the form of, as she says, “baby wrangling” for those four years. She has been with iLEAD since 2016, working for two years at iLEAD Encino before moving to SCVi. Hannah realized her love of preschool was not the age group, but in the inherent difference found in preschool’s style of learning. It therefore made sense to her to make the move to special education. Since making this move, Hannah has had the opportunity to work with so many kind, intelligent, and hilarious (if often strong-willed) learners.
Hannah believes in the power of imaginative play and (apart from loving the game herself) that’s why she currently runs a Dungeons & Dragons group for some of her learners. This group imaginative play offers learners the opportunity to build social skills, since the game is contingent upon teamwork, and also allows learners to exercise their creative problem solving. During a time where information is so readily available, Hannah believes that fostering healthy social-emotional habits is integral to being a successful human being in the 21st Century.
Hannah sharpens her saw by playing Dungeons & Dragons (surprise!), as well as writing stories, playing video games, practicing her penmanship, painting, and wrestling with her family’s pet rottweiler, Bear.