My name is Lewis, and I am 18 years old and in my first year at the University of Calgary working towards my Bachelor of Music degree. I moved to Calgary this fall from Chilliwack, BC, but I spent a few years living in Calgary when I was in elementary school. I have been described as responsible and organized by my past employers and teachers, and I do my best to work hard when I am assigned a task. I greatly value keeping things clean and organized, though I am not afraid to get my hands dirty and I am not grossed out easily. I enjoy making plans and schedules, and I get a great sense of accomplishment from completing a task as meticulously as I am able. As I recently worked as a swim instructor, I am certified in CPR-C and Standard First Aid. Both certificates are currently valid. I have my BC novice driver's license, but as I am a student who lives on campus I do not currently have my own vehicle; however, I am a consistent user of public transit, so if needed I will be happy to accompany children on busses and trains, or run errands. I believe myself to be very competent at housekeeping duties, such as cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and taking care of pets, as I love animals and grew up with a very mischievous golden retriever. In my roles working with children, I have enjoyed interacting with them and helping them learn and grow as people. Children’s safety and developmental growth is incredibly important to me, and I greatly value being part of a community and taking on the role of helping parents and families. I hope to be of value to young families and use my skills to lighten the load of parents and enrich childrens’ lives.

My most recent and pertinent role has been my 15 months of experience working primarily with preschool and school-aged children through the YMCA of Greater Vancouver as a swim instructor. I learned to prioritize the safety and comfort of the swimmers, and I found it incredibly important and meaningful to build relationships with the children and be a compassionate and understanding presence within the lessons. I had the responsibility of looking after children and putting them into new situations. I was trusted by parents and my employer to keep them safe and teach criteria in an appropriate and attentive manner. During this position, I discovered my affinity for detail orientation and interest in interacting with children. I had to resign from my role at the YMCA to pursue my studies at the University of Calgary, where I am currently living in residence. I hope to resume work in order to continue helping children and families.