Smile Inside

My name is Vanessa Lee Abraham and I am an educator who has devoted my learning and teaching to wellbeing and personal development. Although I started out as a primary school teacher, my interests led me on a fulfilling journey. I worked as a student welfare coordinator where I assessed the needs of students in 7th – 12th grades and developed prevention programs as courses, workshops, camps, and events to address issues. I have also worked at a residential program and as an education support worker for at-risk youth. As a private service provider, I develop and facilitate activities and programs for individuals, small groups, and classrooms of all ages. www.linkedin.com/in/smileinside/

Inquiry, experiential, cooperative, and service learning are a few of my favorite styles. I have begun to post my favorite ideas on my boards at www.pinterest.com/thesmileinside/. Please join me!

I felt honored to be recruited to work for the Kansas City, Missouri School District where I helped develop the 2nd grade curriculum at a new Applied Learning Magnet School. Also, to be asked to run a workshop they decided to call ‘The Band Whisperer” at the Victorian Band Directors conference in Australia in order to share my methods on getting a diverse multi-age group to work together harmoniously.

At Ohio University, while pursuing my bachelor’s of science in education, I was part of an innovative teaching program called CARE (Creating Active and Reflective Educators). We explored nontraditional methods of teaching through our coursework and extensive field experience in the classrooms of teachers who believe in active, student-centered learning. I did my yoga training with the Vivekananda Research and Therapy Institute in 2000-2001.

My experiences have helped me design a sequence of programs that enhance emotional intelligence and build resilience and self-respect in youth. I have created two character education activity handbooks to support all professionals who work with youth ages 12-15. In addition, I have developed a strengths-building activity program for children ages 5-12 called CODE Book.