Brittany Reuling is an Early Intervention Specialist with the Birth to Three program.

How long have you worked for ESD 112 and what does your job entail?
I have worked at ESD 112 for about 2 ½ years. I work with children who are experiencing a delay or a disability. Early Intervention is all about working with children and families in the natural environment, and within their daily routines and activities. I get to work with families in the home, at day cares, at the park, libraries, or wherever they like to spend time! One of my first “home visits” with the ESD, was at Esther Short Park during ComiCon! Super fun!

What do you like best about your job?
I love working with families, building a relationship with them, and making a difference in their lives. Infants and toddlers are a lot of fun to work with, it’s fun to help them meet those early milestones.

What do you find most challenging about your job?
One of the biggest challenges is working with families who are living in poverty. There are resources in the community, but it’s not enough. Many families are still struggling. Families struggle to make it doctor appointments, or to access other services (mental health services, food banks, play groups etc). Other families are right above the cut-off for assistance, but are still struggling to get by. This makes their lives stressful! This stress can make it more difficult for families to engage with their children. This is not from a lack of love, care, or attention, but just the fact that they only have so much emotional energy that they can give. When a family is struggling to pay bills, keep or find a job, and navigate the myriad of services…something has got to give. This is why I believe it is so important for educators to understand poverty, how it works, and how it impacts our families. With some compassion and understanding we can help families, but we also need systemic changes on a broader level.

It makes me so grateful that we can provide services in the home, to make their lives that much easier.

Single? Married? Kids? Pets?
I am married! My wife and I got married last June, and had our honeymoon in Portugal. We have a cat named Nigel, and a dog name Padfoot, aka Paddy, aka Paddy Waggin. We might be adding a snake to our family soon….but we will see!!

Photo taken by Brittany from the top of Saddle Mountain.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?
I love to hike! I set out to complete 52 hikes this year, and I am well on my way! Over Spring Break, I was able to complete the 10 falls hike at Silver Falls State Park, and Saddle Mountain in Clatsop County, OR. My long term goal is to climb a mountain. I have my eye on Mount Saint Helen’s!

If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, what would it be?

Doctor Who! Travel all of space and time? Sign me up!

A close second would be the Harry Potter series. I was 11 when the first book came out, so I grew up with them!

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be?

We love to go camping, and I’m not the best at starting a camp fire. I’m quick at setting up camp though! So I would like to master starting a camp fire.

If you could speak another language, which would it be and why?

Spanish! I took French in Middle School, and High School and never use it. I have pretty good toddler Spanish, and can order food at a restaurant, but I’d love to be able to have conversations with my Spanish speaking families. Thankfully our program has an amazing interpreter that helps bridge that gap! Shout out to Ana Arias!

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Thanksgiving! I love cooking with family, and just spending time together.

What did you want to be when you were little?

The first female president, a lawyer, and then a teacher.