We have been excited to share this blog with you for a while, as it means we are SO CLOSE to announcing our INA Nanny of the Year for 2020. Our new NOTY will be announced on May 30, 2020, via a special video. Stay tuned for more details about that.
The INA Nanny of The Year™ Selection Process is performed by a new, unique and separate committee each year. This year we had 18 prospects apply to be on the Selection Committee from all over the world, some were shared by their peers and others applied themselves. They brought a diversity of experiences, but all are familiar with the INA and the nanny industry. The NOTY Committee narrowed down applicants based on: their affiliation within the nanny industry (seeking a diverse group of 2 business professionals and 3 experienced caregivers), their responses of “why” they would be good for this role, and then confirming that they didn’t have any personal connections with any of the nominees. 5 were chosen to numerically evaluate each of the 11 nominees. They did this work individually rather than as a group. The average of the 5 evaluations was determined; the highest percentage among the 11 is the award recipient.
The NOTY Committee has made significant changes to the Selection Process this year. While the portfolio process for the candidates has been digital for several years, this year we divided their information into two parts. All information that could be presented blindly to the 2020 Selection Committee was done that way; this was Part #1. This simply means that the names and other personal information were blackened out by our office team. Of course, there are parts of the process that cannot be done blindly, such as the video interviews and pictures submitted; this was Part #2. The goal was to allow the Selection Process to be as impartial as possible.
We are so thankful for each of these volunteers and the significant time and passionate support they have given to this process.
Let us introduce you to the 2020 NOTY Selection Committee:
LaQuisa is a Travel Nanny and CACHE Certified Newborn Care Specialist with 10 years of professional experience. Q enjoys being a mentor and a vital member of the Charlotte Nanny community. Some of her hobbies and passions that she integrates into her daily work are being outdoors, babywearing, a love for adventures, foreign language, and shopping. When she isn’t working and traveling, Q is investing her time in Professional development as she has dedicated her success to constantly evolving and learning new things daily.
Jen is a professional nanny and newborn care specialist with over 20 years of in-home childcare experience that specializes in working with families with multiples. She has worked in a variety of different household settings and has experience as a live-in, live out, temporary and travel nanny. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration of study in Children, Youth and Family. She spent several years as a Social Worker working with children and families in different therapeutic settings but returned to the nanny field when she realized that is where her true passion was.
Adele has been working in the childcare industry for over 12 years in roles including; camp leader, water-ski instructor, daycare assistant, relief teacher, nanny and most recently, newborn care specialist. She is originally from New Zealand but now resides in Vancouver, Canada. Adele has also worked in the UK and USA.
In 2014 she founded a local online support group, Vancouver Nanny Network. This was followed by co-founding a professional development conference called Nanny Jamboree and an online group Nannies Across Canada. These platforms provide nannies access to much-needed resources, support, professional development opportunities, connections and much more within the local community. Adele is passionate about supporting her colleagues in the industry and encouraging them to advocate for themselves by providing up to date information on the industry for both parents and nannies.
Adele also prioritizes and enjoys professional development both on the job and through a variety of online and in-person classes. She currently works full time as a nanny for two young boys whom she has cared for since they were newborns. She is also working part-time as a newborn care specialist with the goal of transitioning full time in the future.
Ana is the Care Director and resident Matchmaker for Trusting Connection’s Phoenix-Chandler location. She helps connect compatible families and nannies and manages the Phoenix Flex team. She studied cognitive neuroscience with a focus on child/human development at the University of Arizona while working for TC as a nanny. She considered being a nanny one of her greatest job experiences. Before joining the office staff, Ana worked in conjunction with the Department of Child Safety aiding in the reunification process and providing parenting expertise and aide services. In this role, Ana worked one on one with children going through difficult situations and managed therapeutic case plans. Ana participates in the NAWBO, volunteers with Arizonans for Children, and has attended several INA conferences. She loves taking road trips to Sedona with Charlee, her beloved Lab-German Shepard, shopping for treasures at antique stores, and enjoying home-cooked meals from her chef/other half.
Angela grew up in Seoul, South Korea and moved to the US when she was 9 years old. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Delaware, she became an AmeriCorp VISTA at school-based health centers for underserved youths in Philadelphia. After working in public schools, she joined the Adventure Nannies team in 2019 as their Vetting Coordinator. This is her first time working at a nanny agency and loves everything about her job! In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, ceramics, and hiking. Angela lives in Philadelphia with her pets and many plants.