Ms. Erica

Birthday: November 24

Hometown: West Orlando, FL

Favorite Crayola color: Macaroni and Cheese

Background: I received my Bachelor's in Science with majors in Management and Psychology, including a minor in Sociology, from Florida State University in 2009. I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Social Work from Florida State University and plan to graduate in Spring 2011. I began babysitting at 15 years old for children in my East Orlando neighborhood. Through middle and high school, I never missed a year to serve at Vacation Bible School in my hometown church. I love to participate in all the activities kids enjoy, whether it’s playing board games, reading books, riding bikes outside, or drawing with sidewalk chalk! When I’m in Orlando during the holidays or summer, I still babysit for a few of the families in my neighborhood that I started watching in 2006.

Future plans: After graduating in 2011, I plan to be a social worker therapist, hopefully, focusing in family or marriage counseling. Being the oldest of three children, family has always been very important to me. My mother still says to this day, “Friends come and go, but family is forever.”

When she's not babysitting: I love to spend time with my parents and two younger brothers in Orlando, see new movies with my boyfriend, and have fancy dinner dates with girlfriends. The holiday season is my favorite time of the year! I love homemade pumpkin seeds, my Mema’s poundcake, making gingerbread houses, and wrapping Christmas presents while listening to Christmas music!

Defining quote: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances….” - 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18