by Laura (Pre-3’s parent)
An interview with Sandhurst parent educator extraordinaire Emily Bradley….
1. How did you end up working as a parent educator? What other jobs have you had?
I had worked as a parent educator for several years in different capacities before coming to work at North Seattle College. Most recently, I did cognitive behavioral training to help parents work with their children to improve their executive functioning skills in middle school. Before moving to Seattle, I worked in Kaiser Permanente’s community benefit program doing health education and parent outreach and support throughout Southern California.
When I moved to Seattle, I was home with my twins for a time and we joined a toddler co-op on campus. There, I met my dear friend and mentor, Beth Goss. I was inspired and sought out the opportunity to work with co-ops! Amy was the first teacher I worked with here at Sandhurst 5 years ago and – although I work with many different sites around the city -it is always a joy to partner with Amy and be at Sandhurst!
Other early jobs: “hot dog on a stick lemonade squisher,” “Annie’s mac n cheese bunny” in the Central Park zoo, and nanny.
2. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would you live and why?
I’d love the opportunity to live with my family back in Holland, where I lived for a time after college and so enjoyed the culture, especially family bicycling and child rearing ideologies!
3. What do you enjoy most about working in the co-op community?
Getting to know the families and watch the arc of development in both kids and parents alike over the course of one or many years!
4. Cats or Dogs?
Dogs. Dogs. Dogs. My little Hazel the terrier is my first child and only daughter.
5. Sand or Snow?
Sand. If I only ever saw snow in a postcard for the rest of my life, that would be just fine with me.
6. City or Country?
Both! (But I do love the vibrancy of a city!)
7. Let’s talk about a few of your favorite things….
a. Favorite sport? Swimming!
b. Favorite holiday? Christmas- the one day all 6 of my siblings and I are ever together anymore.
c. Favorite food? Chocolate chip cookies.
d. Favorite movie? Elf (and documentaries of any kind)
e. Favorite band/style of music? The Beatles and the Postal Service
f. Favorite places to go on vacation? Big Sur and Santa Cruz, CA
11. Surprise! You have a free day to yourself (no work or family responsibilities). How do you spend it?
What a treat! Thrifting for treasures at Goodwill, a hike with a friend or a bike ride, dinner out with my husband and game night with friends!
12. If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I’d love to be able to fly 🙂