Marianne Keplinger Biography

My name is Marianne Keplinger. I have been married for thirteen years to a wonderful man named Martin, and we have a five-year-old son named Evan. I have an identical twin sister, two older brothers and a younger stepbrother.
Early in middle school and high school, I struggled in most of my classes, and I had to really push hard to maintain average grades. I did graduate from high school with honors and was quite amazed by my accomplishments.
After I got married, I went to business school part-time, and I was also working full-time at my stepfather’s insurance office as a front desk assistant. I graduated from college with an Associates degree in Executive Secretarial Science and pressed on to work for another insurance company called CompDent Dental Insurance. After working there for four years, I decided to get into childcare. Though I still enjoyed doing administrative duties, after spending time with my own nieces I felt called to work with children.
I have worked in several childcare centers, and I have enjoyed the experience of interacting with children of all ages. Shortly after our son turned two, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Having and working with him has helped me develop a great deal of patience. I have also learned a great deal about how each child develops at their own pace, and that they each have their individual differences in coping and learning. I have learned a lot from Evan that I have been able to transfer to my professional childcare setting. Understanding that each child has individual needs and being there to help them in those areas is a great feeling. I hope to establish strong relationships with the parents and my co-workers, and I am sure working with others, as a team will allow for many other opportunities in the future.
I furthered my education in November 2008 through Morehead State University for my Child Development Assistant certificate. I earned my certificate June of 2008 and hope to continue in Special Education in 2010.
I felt the need to continue to volunteer in other areas and organizations. So I had applied to Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Summer 2009. After about a month to two months I received acceptance to volunteer as a mentor at a Learning Disability School once a week.
All children have different needs and feeling like I can be part of watching them grow developmentally and in so many other ways is a true blessing to me and I am thankful I have an opportunity to continue to do so.