Janelle Durham
Classes Taught: Professional Childbirth Educator Training, Better Birth Refresher, Breastfeeding, Newborn Care, Life with Baby
For childbirth classes: I encourage expectant parents to learn about all of their options, using professionals to answer the key questions about those options, but then to make their own decisions, based on their personal values and priorities.
For parenting: We all have good days and bad days as a parent. Our kids have good days and bad. We try to set high standards and live up to them whenever we can, but we forgive ourselves and our kids when we aren’t at our best. Seeking out parent education and support helps us to succeed.
Teaching Style: Knowledgeable, Non-judgmental, Conversational, Information Dense
Background:
Master’s in Social Work. Trained as labor support doula, postpartum doula, lactation consultant, and postpartum support group facilitator. Have taken childbirth educator trainings through Great Starts, Seattle Midwifery School, Lamaze, ICEA, ALACE, CAPPA, and Birthing from Within. Have taught childbirth preparation to over 3500 students in 20 years, plus led numerous postpartum support groups, designed the curriculum for all Great Starts classes and PEPS support groups. Currently teach parent education at Bellevue College, and teach STEM enrichment classes for kids age 3 – 7.
Favorite thing about teaching:
I’m a natural synthesizer. I like to gather lots of data, put it together into a clear understanding in my head, and then figure out how to summarize it in a way that is concise, easy to understand, easy to remember and to apply to varied situations.
Personal Interests:
I love stories – so I love watching theater, movies, reading books, listening to story podcasts and learning about people’s diverse life experiences and perspectives.
I have three kids, age 24, 20, and 6. Their stories are my favorite stories!
Website: http://www.janelledurham.com/