Octopus Garden
Preschool
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Owner and Operator
Hi! My Name is Morgan, and I am the owner, director, and primary teacher at Octopus Garden Preschool. I started this business in my home in 2011, and have worked over the years to improve and grow it into something truly awesome.
![morgan-0302.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/64b1a6_1ee5095b50e14dc0aad29e76bbba43eb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_329,h_493,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/morgan-0302.jpg)
My Background
I am a 37 year old, from the New Orleans area. I lived in Nashville, Tn for 3 years, with my now ex-husband and my now 13 year old son. After going through a divorce, I decided to move, with my son, to New Smyrna Beach, Fl, to be close to my Mother and my Grandparents, who live here. We have lived here since 2014. We love NSB and being by the water!
My favorite thing in the world is being a mother. I always wanted to have kids more than anything else. So obviously, Im totally obsessed with my son. He is such an amazing kid! He is currently in 8th grade at NSB Middle School. I started this business when he was 2 yrs. old, so he is very used to having kids around every day.
A little more about me...
Favorite Food- Crabs, Crawfish, Oysters, and Sushi.
Movies- Edward Scissor Hands, Shawshank Redemption, Harry Potter
Books - Harry Potter, Jacob Have I Loved, The Westing Game
TV - Seinfeld
Color - Green
Favorite holiday- Halloween and Mardi Gras
Things I love - live music, music in general, driving, singing (not that I sound good), dancing, festivals, thrift shops and flea markets, good art, parades, anything vintage, traveling, photography, buying clothes for Jonah, swimming, reading, baking, decorating cakes, sewing, making costumes, planning parties, gardening, and the beach.
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When I created this website, my son was 3 yrs old. I asked him what my favorite things were and he said ....unicorns, rainbows, and butterflies. Which is also very true!
My Experience
My love for babies and children started when I was very young. I have always loved anything that involves young children.
I got my start officially working with children, babysitting at the age of 11, as well as being paid to work in my church's nursery each Sunday. In the 8th grade, besides my weekend babysitting jobs, I became a nanny each day after school for a kindergartener and 3rd grader.
Through the years I have pretty much done it all, I have...
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Babysat
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Been a Nanny for two different families. One family that had 8 month old twins, and two daughters in elementary school, which I cared for over 40 hrs. a week, for a over a year.
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Worked in nurseries at 3 different churches
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Taught sunday school
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Taught Vacation Bible School
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Worked at art day camps
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Worked as a lead counselor at large overnight, week long, children's camp for 3 consecutive years
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Worked as a head counselor for a large overnight camp, for middle and high schoolers for 3 consecutive years
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Worked as a one and two year old teacher for 1 year at a large child care center
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Worked as a two and three year old teacher for 5 years at a large child care center
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Was a substitute and a staff trainer at a large child care center
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Worked with underprivileged teenagers as a mentor and positive role model
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Headed up the children's programs in two shelters after hurricane Katrina
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Worked in a Early Head Start with ages 3 yrs. and under in a family style mixed ages program, during college through a work study program
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volunteered in elementary & middle schools, and put on a series of skits for the kids
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worked in the office and did managerial work in a large child care center
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Provided overnight and weekend care in my home, in which the children went with me to different events and outings.
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I have taken over 300 hours of classes in early child care education over the years. As well as been certified in first aid and CPR many times. I am still currently certified.
I have learned so much from each of my child care adventures. Looking back, I really loved and enjoyed each experience. I enjoy the confidence that all my experience has provided me with. I have learned so much through the years, and continue to grow as a teacher each day.
My School
I used to daydream about having my own preschool. I would go over the details in my mind, thinking about the classrooms and toys and art projects. I would make mental notes of things I loved and things I didn't love about places I worked or schools I would visit. I loved reading handbooks and newsletters, knowing how different centers were set up. I would compare curriculum and teaching methods. All the while knowing just how I would do things if given the opportunity. I considered watching children in my home a few times, but always decided against it in the end. It wasn't until we moved to Nashville that I felt it was a good fit for my family. After spending a few months staying home with my son, I decided it was time to figure out a plan as far as work goes. I started touring every preschool, Montessori school, and Mother's Day out program I could find (which was a lot, since I was in Nashville). The more I looked the more I missed teaching and being involved in a school. However I had little desire to be a "daycare worker" anymore. I always felt like a lot more than that, however working at a daycare doesn't typically make the list of great jobs someone can have. On a whim, I decided to put an ad on craigslist about opening an in home daycare. I really didn't think much would come of it. I was very very surprised and immensely happy when the emails began to pour in. Before I knew it, I had spoken with, toured, and enrolled 5 children into my new program. I was thrilled to be doing something I'd always dreamed of, but that felt like it might never really work out. My school was born, and it was the best feeling ever to finally be doing child care the way I wanted to. My job isn't something I have to do, it's what I truly love to do. I was really meant to teach young children. I often refer to myself as a "forever babysitter", kids are just my thing, always have been.
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