Emily on her horse, Herbie.
Emily Nash is an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher in the Specialized Services Department. She works in the Ocean Beach School District.
How long have you worked for ESD 112 and what does your job entail?
I have worked for the ESD for a little over two years at the Ocean Beach Early Childhood Center. My days are always different, which I love. I am in the Developmental Preschool classroom every morning except Friday, and my afternoons consist of home visits, meetings, evaluations, and, of course, paperwork.
What do you like best about your job?
The best part about my job is getting to know the people I work with and brainstorming new ideas with other teachers, as well as getting to know the families and children I work with. I also love being able to see the growth in children as they learn and progress.
What do you find most challenging about your job?
The most challenging part about the job is finding enough time in the day to get everything done, and making sure that I am meeting all of appropriate timelines.
What did you want to be when you were little?
When I was little I wanted to be a teacher! 🙂
What is the most interesting place you’ve ever lived?
The most interesting place I have ever lived is Dungarvan, Ireland. I lived and completed my student teaching there my senior year of college.
Single? Married? Kids? Pets?
I live with my partner, Jeremy, alongside our two dogs and cat. We have a pit/lab mix named Jane and a half lab/half mutt puppy named Lavender, as well as Tippy the cat and Herbie the horse. Herbie, however, does not live at home.
What future events are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to traveling back to the east coast (Pennsylvania) to visit my family for the Christmas holiday.
What brought you to the west coast from Pennsylvania, and how do you like it?
I came here from Pennsylvania for the job. I had just graduated and wasn’t sure where I wanted to live, but knew that I wanted to move. I applied a couple of places and the ESD was the first to inquire, so I took the job and packed everything up. I love it out here!
What differences do you notice between the east coast and the west coast?
There are a lot of differences between the east and west coast, but it is hard to put into words. I think some of the biggest things that I notice relate to lifestyle and attitudes. People on the west coast are definitely way more laid back and have much more of a “live and let live” attitude. There is also much more of a focus on personal wellness and getting outdoors, which I love!
What do you enjoy doing with your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy spending my time at the barn with my horse, reading, yoga, gardening, hiking, camping and being outdoors.
What was your most interesting past job?
My most interesting past job was working with refugees from all over the world. I worked to help them learn about basic American culture, the English language, and basic job/life skills. It was especially fun to teach them how to navigate public transportation and prepare for job interviews.
What’s your favorite ESD memory?
I was working with a little guy with autism who had very limited communication, but did speak occasionally. Mom really wanted him to be able to say his name, as they were going to be traveling soon. Well, we worked on it for a couple of weeks, and one day he just pointed to his name and said it! It was awesome!
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