Leah Berquist

I began nannying for a family composed of 3 children aged 18 months, 4 years and 6 years (as of November 2020). Throughout my time nannying, I found great joy in the mutual learning the children and I gained from each other. It was especially rewarding to develop personal and professional skills which have assisted my development as a Doctor. My role included, but was not limited to:

• Supported children in play activities, meals and snacks, hygiene and socialization.
• Assisted with light housekeeping duties as well as running errands.
• Organized and cleaned home after activities by picking up toys and straightening up rooms.
• Built positive and nurturing environments to support child social and emotional growth.
• Organised and facilitated extra-curricular activities for each child; including managing transport and scheduling.
• Balanced free-play, structure-play and cooking time to support development of fine motor, gross motor and cognitive skills.
• Promoted language development skills through reading and storytelling; boosting comprehension skills.
• Communicated with children at age-appropriate levels to encourage understanding and foster relationships.
• Bathed, dressed, helped with teeth brushing and packed school bags as part of bedtime and morning (school and preschool) preparation.
• Worked with parents to develop and implement discipline programs to promote positive behaviour.
• Coordinated holiday activities including farm, museum and wildlife visits and experiences.

I first developed my tutoring skills working with primary school students in a private capacity to help with mathematics and literacy. I worked primarily with 4 boys; aged 5 years to 12 years of age. With a strong academic ability I found the role an extremely rewarding way to share my love for learning. Having enjoyed this role I initiated my tutoring with secondary school students from 12 years to 17 years of age; through junior and NCEA curriculum. My role included, but was not limited to:

• Motivating students towards learning and studying to build self-confidence and positive self-talk.
• Supported students with helpful study habits and exam strategies.
• Planned lessons for allotted time to strengthen weak subjects and build skills; with focus where both students self-identified gaps and I identified gaps.
• Tutored a range of student; who were struggling, average and advanced students in Accounting, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English, Physics and Statistics.

Throughout my senior years of high school I used my experience and expertise having achieved my Royal Life Saving Distinction award to contribute to teaching and safety of students. I was involved in coordinating and teaching students from the ages of 10 years to 18 years in achieving their life saving skills and awards. The role involved navigating a range of abilities and confidence levels amongst students. This helped me to develop strong communication skills and give back to the health and safety of others.