Hi! I’m Amanda Keiffer, a writer and instructional coach for Impact Early Education. My work involves supporting the writing team in the creative process from start to finish, and writing trainings myself. From time to time, I also have fun getting in front of the camera to record trainings!
I’m here because I truly believe (and know) that this work is not only capable of changing how teachers feel about their profession, but also how they work with and teach little learners. I’m excited about being a small part of igniting a fire in the field of early childhood education and watching all the goodness unfold.
I remember the defining moment that confirmed in me I was meant to be a helper. While in college, I made it a point to encourage a young girl to further her education. A few years later, I bumped into her rounding the corner at a local cafe. We drummed up conversation and, with tears in her eyes, she hugged me and told me she went back to school and was grateful for the support. If she only knew today how much that impacted my life because that moment birthed in me the desire to help others.
Experience
I’ve spent the better part of the last 15 years of my career working with preschool and elementary aged children in various settings. Here are just some of the things I’ve done…
- Spent time in schools in Baton Rouge and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, supporting teachers with classroom instruction, running an afterschool program, and participating in community engagement activities that supported families living life after a natural disaster
- Been a toddler teacher, singing the day away, and enjoying my fair share of pudding painting activities
- Worked in elementary classrooms as a behavior specialist to support teachers with children experiencing behavior challenges that came from spectrum disorders and other mental health diagnosis
- Supported teachers working in an education setting who struggled with the behavior challenges they often saw in the kids who attended their programs
My areas of interest today are heavily rooted in being a positive support and mentor for teachers and learning how placing mental health and behavioral support a priority can be the make-or-break factor in both teachers and little learners.
Education
I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Mount Olive in 2010, and a Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling from Webster University in 2012.
Some Fun Facts
I absolutely love babies, like so much I think I want to be the 15 passenger van family, Dugger-style! Watching the miracle of life, and babies transform and grow that first year is truly amazing! …Impact truly is my dream job. How lucky am I?! My alternate dream job would probably be a doula working with moms post-partum.
My husband and I got married in the exact place we first met. So disgustingly romantic!
In college, I got a ukulele and mastered a total of two songs, one being Wonderwall by Oasis. I would play it and sing for hours. And now my son randomly loves the song. Fun!
