Dear Family, I am a trained educator (more than 5 years, also extra-qualifications, including music and speech with children, nursing sick children, etc.), who has worked in kindergartens, with special needs children and in families. I also studied and practised some baby-care. But most of all: I love being with children and see and help them grow healthy and happily! For small children I know many games, songs, fairy tales, puppet plays, nature projects, etc. and with 1st and 2nd grade children I can do homework (maybe some homeschooling) and activities (arts, outdoor-games, etc.). I have quite a bit of experience in household (also: healthy life-style) and garden. My abilities for English are excellent, since I lived and studied and worked in English-speaking areas for 6 years. At the moment I only have a student-VISA for USA (expires on 15.08.2012). I already applied 3 times succesfully for USA-VISA so far in my life ! My abilities for German are really good, since I lived and studied and worked in Germany for almost 18 years. I also have experience in volunteer-nursing (6 years part-time), administrative work and library-assistance. I am sorry to say that I have no driver's license. I simply do not feel safe driving ... Therefore I bike and walk and take busses and trains. For your children I will try very hard to be a loyal, encouraging friend, setting boundaries in a positive way (no "No's" without alternative "Yesses!", if possible). The individuality of each child will be respected and encouraged, given its space to develop and express itself. I will only apply for jobs in a family I feel comfortable with, after we have openly talked about needs and interests. My main personal interests are: nature walks, intercultural contacts, arts, gardening, taking care of farm animals, teaching language (!!!) in a playful way. One of my own important needs is, that I really want a private place to be at, outside of the working hours. Of course, this can also be part of your home (downstairs, upstairs, etc.). Furthermore I expect us to organize regular times, where we look at the work done and evaluate it (constructive feedback). I hope to stay with your family for at least one year. I can send to you good references from: 1. police (no records), 2. medical doctor (normal health), 3. former jobs 4. and I have 2 diploma's: 1. social worker, 2. educator. My sister is a medical doctor in California. She can help and take responsibility in case of emergency. I have a little apartment in Stuttgart, which I will keep. I have family in Belgium and dear friends in USA and elsewhere. With respect of videos, interviews, etc.: some families suggest I should add more of it. However, that's not my way of thinking. If a family wants me and we correspond for a while (preferably also talk to each other on the phone, plus they send me pictures of themselves), having the feeling: "That's a match !", then I will send them my job and other references, of course. What I can mail (or scan) before I come: copies of 2 social diplomas (stately recognized) and copies of 3 good job references with respects of kindergarten-work. Good job references from other fields are also available. For the future I am definitely also aiming to be a Canadian Live-in (or out) Caregiver, providing childcare, tutoring, housekeeping, if possible also challenging jobs with respect of being self-organised (f.i.: helping on a farm), organizing group-activities for (small) children, etc. Challenging, hard-working jobs are fine with me, provided I am part of a loving and real family unit, where joy and care (for humans, animals, plants, ...) are important values. Any friendly family at any good place matching with what I can offer their children can invite me to an email-conversation. Thank you very much !