Miss Becka Marsch

Learn and Grow Togetherwas founded in 2005, as a simple way to get information across to parents intheAlbany, NY area. I wanted to provide information,advice, and parenting humor to friends and others in my area. Since I was 12,my passion has been to help families and children of all ages and abilities.At the age of 15, I had my first child care job at a friend's in home childcare center. This is when I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life.I started taking some advanced courses in high school for early childhood developmentand child psychology. I then took majored in Early Childhood Development andEducation in college and did an internship at the college day care. From thereI also got an Associates in Business, in which I graduated Magna Cum Laude.I was originally going to start my own day care center, but I got pulled inanother way! I wanted to help families on an individual level.

I did take a short break until my first son, born in 1999, was 1. I then tooka lead teacher position at a preschool where he attended. I ended up at oneother center, before having my daughter in 2003. I took a couple years off,trying to figure out what I could do for children and families, and still stayhome with my kids. So in 2005 I launched Creative Parenting, at the urgingof my local Attachment Parenting groupand several of my former parents at my previous preschool. I shortly thereafterchanged the name to Talk to meBaby, then Learn and Grow Together (aftermoving to North Carolina), after some thought and a few votes from friends!

I am also working on a 1.5 to 2 hour curriculum for my class entitled Positive Toddler ParentingThis is a class geared towards parents of toddlers ages 1 to 4. Thisclass entails how to handle tantrums, using ASL with toddlers, howplaying with your toddler develops their whole self, and much more!Visit back to the site for updates!

I started with a small website through a free host, with parenting tips, localevents (Kindermusik, parks, fairs, schools holding carnivals, fundraisers,healthy kid days (YMCA) and so on). I also listed local mom and dad supportgroups. Shortly before moving to North Carolina, I became a Happiest Baby CertifiedEducator.I hadread this book when my daughter was a baby and found it very helpful, wishingit was around when my first was born (though, he was and still is my best sleeper!).I was very excited when I heard about the Educator Program, which was abouta year old by then, and immediately applied!! If I had stayed in NY, I wouldhave been a Kindermusik instructor with CartWheels for Kids. I was asked tojoin them and go through training, right before we moved. I am sure that wouldhave been fun too! I would have done it down here, if this are was not alreadyfull of wonderful KI instructors!

Shortly after moving to North Carolina, I got an invitation from Wee Handsto become an instructor. Since I have used ASL in the past with both childrenin my care as well as my own children, I jumped at this opportunity! This wasa perfect service to add to my ever growing business. I am very happy I wentwith Wee Hands, as they only choose people for their instructors who have anextensive ASL and Early Childhood background, unlike some other companies,where you just pay a fee! I am continuing my education to obtain my Masters,but only taking a class here and there. Ultimately, I would like a few of myown permanent residences for my classes spread out through the Triangle Area.

Thanks to the help of my husband, Chris, I can get all the technical andfinancial sides of my businesstaken care of. (Except writing the website! I LOVE working with HTML!) I am luckyto have a loving, supportive husband, who is willing to help out when needed.(Which usually means he watches the kids when I have a night time class!)

I also have a ton of friends who have helped bring Learn and Grow Together...together!:) This includes Mis at A Place NextDoor for my wonderful logoand Aisha at Gifts For All NC for other logos, advice and critiques. I would also like to thank Liberty Johnson at Bee Square Virtual Assistantsfor her AWESOME critique and help in making my website that much betterfor my families! I would also like to thank all my business owner mamasat Moms United in Business,LLC (Especially owner and founder, Jenn Rogers) for the community support they give!