Au Pair: Joana Guimaraes Villar Martins from Brazil
Host Family: Strauser family in New Jersey
Words cannot possibly express how grateful our family is that Joana entered our lives in July of 2011. From the first phone call with her, we knew she was special. We will never forget our conversation with her reference, a father of a student she was teaching in Brazil. He sang Joana's praises, and told us that she was the only teacher who was able to reach out to his daughter, who was having a very difficult time transitioning from America to a classroom in Brazil that was "daughter" in Portuguese. Joana took her under her wing and made this child enjoy school again- what a gift. We were sold!
We were particularly sold with this story and her background as a teacher because our two year old daughter has a speech delay known as apraxia. This is a rather rare neurological, motor planning delay that causes her to have difficulty getting her words out on command, even though she knows exactly what she wants to say—and is of above average intelligence. It was critical to our family that our au pair embrace all of the speech therapy into her daily routine, and work along with the rest of the family to help her. We needed someone special and motivated who could handle all of this while also attending to the needs of our one year old baby boy. It was a tall order to fill.
Mikelah takes horse back riding lessons as part of her therapy, and before "Jo Jo" even arrived, she was searching out farms in Brazil that provided similar therapy so as to familiarize herself with it. She read about her condition and came with her own ideas on how to help. The day we picked Joana up- she jumped right in the back seat with the kids and it seemed as if she had been their big sister all along.
She has helped Mikelah with her therapy in ways we could not have even dreamed. She looks out for her best interests at all costs- while also protecting the special bond Mikelah has with her younger brother. She pushes her to talk without pressuring her, which is not an easy task- particularly when English is not your native language. Joana is also not afraid to use her education background to offer us advice on treatment methods, and what she thinks is and is not working. We recently switched part of the treatment plan based on something she suggested, and are pleased with the results. She has worked hand in hand with her host mother to take a direct role in the therapy, and this is something that only a very capable, mature young woman could handle.
Joana has built confidence in both of our children and we truly believe that it is this love that has greatly attributed to Mikelah's fantastic achievements with speech this year. She is talking, and talking a lot. At the same time Joana has been vigilant in her efforts to make sure that our baby boy gets loads of love and attention, and that his language skills are encouraged just as much. Kolby is in love with Joana. He participates in the therapy with his big sister, and Joana has always made sure that there is not "competition" between them that could create unnecessary jealousy. Both of the kids are absolutely crazy about her, while also respecting the boundaries she sets.
We truly can't say enough things about this young woman who has touched our lives so deeply in such a short period of time. We are ecstatic to know that she is likely extending, because the thought of her going home breaks our hearts. You meet very few people in your life who you know are just "different," who have that special star quality that makes you smile and feel good about the world. Joana is one of the few. We cannot imagine a better ambassador for the au pair program. he is a poised, educated, mature, and loving young woman who represents everything that the au pair program should be and more. We are blessed to have her caring for our children, and a member of our family.
We were particularly sold with this story and her background as a teacher because our two year old daughter has a speech delay known as apraxia. This is a rather rare neurological, motor planning delay that causes her to have difficulty getting her words out on command, even though she knows exactly what she wants to say—and is of above average intelligence. It was critical to our family that our au pair embrace all of the speech therapy into her daily routine, and work along with the rest of the family to help her. We needed someone special and motivated who could handle all of this while also attending to the needs of our one year old baby boy. It was a tall order to fill.
Mikelah takes horse back riding lessons as part of her therapy, and before "Jo Jo" even arrived, she was searching out farms in Brazil that provided similar therapy so as to familiarize herself with it. She read about her condition and came with her own ideas on how to help. The day we picked Joana up- she jumped right in the back seat with the kids and it seemed as if she had been their big sister all along.
She has helped Mikelah with her therapy in ways we could not have even dreamed. She looks out for her best interests at all costs- while also protecting the special bond Mikelah has with her younger brother. She pushes her to talk without pressuring her, which is not an easy task- particularly when English is not your native language. Joana is also not afraid to use her education background to offer us advice on treatment methods, and what she thinks is and is not working. We recently switched part of the treatment plan based on something she suggested, and are pleased with the results. She has worked hand in hand with her host mother to take a direct role in the therapy, and this is something that only a very capable, mature young woman could handle.
Joana has built confidence in both of our children and we truly believe that it is this love that has greatly attributed to Mikelah's fantastic achievements with speech this year. She is talking, and talking a lot. At the same time Joana has been vigilant in her efforts to make sure that our baby boy gets loads of love and attention, and that his language skills are encouraged just as much. Kolby is in love with Joana. He participates in the therapy with his big sister, and Joana has always made sure that there is not "competition" between them that could create unnecessary jealousy. Both of the kids are absolutely crazy about her, while also respecting the boundaries she sets.
We truly can't say enough things about this young woman who has touched our lives so deeply in such a short period of time. We are ecstatic to know that she is likely extending, because the thought of her going home breaks our hearts. You meet very few people in your life who you know are just "different," who have that special star quality that makes you smile and feel good about the world. Joana is one of the few. We cannot imagine a better ambassador for the au pair program. he is a poised, educated, mature, and loving young woman who represents everything that the au pair program should be and more. We are blessed to have her caring for our children, and a member of our family.
