Hello There!

I am Sebastian, and I consider myself to be a bit of an expert on working with children.I have been working with children and families ever since I was able to get my hands on a work permit! I began this type of work when I was  about 14, with my first job – I was working as a gate guard at my town pool. I got to sign families in and out of the pool, count money, and chat with poolgoers of all ages. I worked there for three summers. Once I turned 18, I began working as a scary story teller at Creepy Hollow Scream Park. There I learned how to read an audience, and I gained public speaking skills. That spring, I began working at Kings Dominion with the Entertainment Department. I am now in my 5th season with the park and could not be happier! My three years were spent teaching children about dinosaurs in the dinosaur exhibit. My fourth year there was spent working with families around the park, and my fifth year is being spent within the children’s area. I am also working at their Halloween event for my third year as a supervisor for a haunted maze. It ought to be noted that I also have been babysitting for a four year old since before she could walk. When I began my second year of college, I began working as a desk aide for Longwood University and am currently in my fourth year in that position.

In college, I helped to found Gamma Rho Lambda’s Chi chapter on the campus of Longwood University, as a member of the Alpha Class. I served on their executive board for two years, until I decided to step down from my position so that I could take a little under my wing. I have served as the chapter’s LGBTQ+ Multicultural Liason for 3 years, and their Alumni Relations Officer for 2 years. I also MC’d for the sorority’s charity drag show for 3 years. Apart from that, I served as the vice president of Longwood University’s PRIDE Club for one year, and then as their president for two years. PRIDE put on many events such as a yearly redemption prom, a semesterly panel on LGBTQ+ Student, and led the weekly club meetings. In addition to all of this, I assisted the Crash on Campus program, which brings minority students to campus for tours and a night in university housing. I also served on the President’s round table, which is a meeting place for multicultural organizations to discuss issues on Longwood’s Campus. I was also an active member of the Longwood’s Black Student Association. In the April of 2018, I presented with a group at Longwood’s annual research symposium, giving a presentation and performance on bringing literature to life in the classroom.

I think that children need to have fun while learning, and that often means that you have to get on the floor and be a kid! Play fosters creativity!You still have to maintain firm control and a level head, but I believe that the best kind of play is child-led (within reason). For example, the little girl I babysit wanted to paint my fingernails and put pearls and a tiara on me. I happily obliged, allowing her to use whatever colors she wanted , then to put plastic pearls around my neck, and a sparkly tiara on my head. In allowing her this bit of power and fun, we solidified our friendship and trust.

I firmly believe in servant leadership, in that the most effective leaders travel at the back of the pack. True leaders do not take all of the glory for themselves, but rather share it amongst those who they work with. A real leader is out in the field with everyone else, not sitting comfortably chewing the fat.  My personal leadership mantra: “I’m not going to make you do anything that I am not willing to do.” My Halloween associates really seem to love that I am willing to clean the haunted maze, and spend time in it so they are not facing guests alone. They know that I am there, making sure that they are safe, and assisting them in any way possible.