I have always loved children even when I was a child. I was always wanting to be around small children. I started babysitting when I was 11 years old. During that time I also worked with the children in our church during Sabbath school with all the different age groups. As an adult, I worked as a teacher's aide in a public school in a classroom with children that had special needs. After receiving my degree in elementary education, I worked at a private school for 19 years as a first grade teacher and then as a teacher for a combination class of first and second graders for three years. During my teaching career, I babysat before and after work, on weekends and I also did overnighters. On several occasions, parents would leave on vacation and I was left in charge of up to four children while working as well. It was a challenge, but I loved it. Four children is the most I've ever watched at one time, except for my biggest classroom size of twenty four first graders. Now that was a challenge!