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Silke's Bio

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Silke De Oca

Professional background, certifications and training 

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Born and raised in Germany, Silke benefitted from a multicultural upbringing, during a time when Germany started to become a central melting-pot in Europe. This aspect and also her own family's diversity, helps her greatly relate to other cultures.

 

State Board Certified in Schleswig-Holstein Germany in the field of childhood education, growth, development and care, her profession is an independent professional board certified licensure, that is nestled within the Social Pedagogical Professional group and with that part of the Professional Field of Social & Health Services, under the department of Health & Human Services of Germany. 


The practical application of this profession is in kindergartens/preschools and nurseries, academic facilities, community churches, residential homes for people with disabilities, counseling centers, child and youth orphanages. 

Work can involve outpatient services in children’s hospitals, as well as in newborn nurseries and neonatal care units, or in a patients room as well as in recreation, vacation and private dwellings as an additional specialist. 

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Licensure qualifies Silke for the professional work with children, that includes the fostering, educating, supervising, care giving and nurturing of infants, children and youth between the ages of 0-14, as an independent support professional in a network of the Professional Field of Social & Health Services. 

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Work specific areas can incorporate replacement of parent(s)/guardian in crisis situation. This profession uses a whole child, holistic educational and therapeutic approach, drawing from and applying a combination of theories and practice of education and care. This incorporates amongst others, Psychology, Education, Philosophy, Illness- and Healthcare (in particular for Infants), Sociology and Social-pedagogic, Didactic and Methodic in the work with children. 

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The profession is a valuable asset in the developmental preventative and holistic-corrective work with children. Work is done alongside other professionals and under special circumstances, in conjunction of the work of Social Workers, Family Therapists, Teachers and Health Care Professionals. The general goal is to better and benefit the wellbeing of children inclusive within their family structure, through collaboration, sharing and applying of social-socio pedagogic concepts, goals, theoretical understandings and knowledge within a greater team. 

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Helping children and youth develop and thrive in the world and strengthening their healthy holistic development, is the mission of this profession.


Silke’s training incorporated 2 years of full-time, with 2,800hrs, in classroom time and 1 year of professional field training.
It also required 4 hours of regular weekly practical hours working with children in a Kindergarten setting and a 4/week annual field training, involving specific work with infants and the work with children in a Kindergarten setting. 

Silke achieved her State Board Certification and Licensure in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1985 

 

Silke’s German professional background gives strong focus on the holistic development and needs of the Physical - Cognitive - Social - Emotional - Intellectual - Creative - Spiritual Wellbeing and of the proper development thereof. 

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Below are some, of the listed facets incorporated into Silke’s professional training;

  • Sociology & Cultures

  • Economy, Society & Politics

  • Psychology, Social Pedagogy Education and Theory & Practice

  • Developmentally Appropriate Methodologies and Theories and Practice 

  • Sociology and Social Pedagogic Didactic and Methodic in the work with children 

  • Religions, Ethics & Philosophy 

  • Culinary Lab

  • Nutrition / Dietetics Education

  • Health, Hygiene & Science

  • House & Laundry Care

  • Apparel Lab & Textiles

  • Home Economics (Home Management and Design, Budgeting and Economics, Education and Community Awareness)  

  • Holistic approach, Didactics and Therapeutic Interventions though; 

       - Music, Rhythm Movement, Sound Pedagogy

       - Play & Game Pedagogy

       - Children's / Juvenile Literature & Media Studies

       - Art Didactics

       - Creative Design & Creative Expression

       - Sensory Stimulation & Support of Cognitive Development

  • Language & Support of Language Development

  • Development, Cognitive Behavior & Support of Social-Emotional Development

  • Promotion, Support & Maintenance of Physical Development

  • Promotion, Support & Maintenance of Holistic Health & Wellness

  • Physical Education Pedagogy

  • Child Development & Education 

  • Development & Education and the Support of Communication

  • Reflex Development & Support

  • Infant Care

  • Infant Massage

  • Infant Gymnastics

  • Infants Structural Alignment Support 

 

Silke now has a combined 30 years of experience in her profession, both in Germany and in America. These years include developing her own curriculums and working many years in a leadership position. 

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Some professional and employment highlights,

  • Sozialpädagogische Fachschule / Community College in Hamburg, Germany

       - Community College Kindergarten Integration Group

       - Serving along with all other professional staff as a consistent professional contact person for the      students enrolled at the facility.

  • Leadership positions in the private sector in America

  • Development of her curriculums

  • Foreign Language Immersion School

  • Director positions of Early Childhood Education

  • American elementary school system / one-on-one and group settings

       - Kindergarten

       - ESL

       - Special Education (ALC, BLC)

  • Special Groups Coordinator

  • Form 1991-1992, Silke took several private trainings sessions weekly, from a Physical Therapist in functional movement practices. These sessions deepened greatly her understanding of the body and also at the time how to best handle her own spinal cord injury.

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Additional Certifications & Licenses

Movement Based Therapies:

  • Certified / Licensed GYROKINESIS® Trainer / 2014 - 2024

  • Certified / Licensed RMTi™ Consultant / 2016    

       (Rhythmic Movement Training International / Reflex & Sensory Integration)​

  • Certified / Licensed GYROTONIC® Trainer / 2018 - 2024

Others:

  • Certified Complementary Therapist / 2015

  • Certified Christian Counselor / 2016

  • Board Certified Health Coach / 2023

  • Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner / 2023

 

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Additional professional training and workshops:

  • RMTi™ (Rhythmic Movement Training) * Sonia Story of Move Play Thrive

       * Focus, Organization & Comprehension

       * Emotions, Memory & Behavior

       * Reading & Writing

       Moira Dempsey, Founder of Rhythmic Movement Training International

       - Face The Fear (Fear Paralysis and with related areas) - 

  • GYROTONIC® Specialized Course Applications for Healing & Rejuvenating the Hands & Feet

  • GYROKINESIS® Specialized Course Applications for Healing & Rejuvenating the Hands & Feet

  • Yoga for Dancers (2014)

  • GYROTONIC® Hand & Feet Workshop Series 

  • GYROKINESIS® 90 min. Sequence 3-Class-Workshop

  • GYROKINESIS® Standing Workshop 

  • GYROKINESIS® Foot & Hand Workshop Series

  • GYROKINESIS® Level 1 Update Course

  • Pilates Workshop - Get Your Gluts On

  • Franklin Method - Pelvis Workshop

  • The 3 Stands (TM) of the Nurtured Heart Approach

  • Stewards of Children® Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

  • A Focused Approach to Systematic ELD Instruction 

  • Strategies for Working with English Language Learners

  • How The Brain Works

  • Strategies for Working with Sp Ed (Special Education) Students

  • O.S.H.A. Health Training Working with Children 

  • Personality Inventory & Teamwork 

  • Humor, Laughter and Happiness in Young Children 

  • Positive Discipline in Young Children

  • Building a Brighter World for Children 

  • Functional Movement Practice

  • And many other workshop…

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Silke is a listed Practitioner with, 

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She had the pleasure to train with certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Master Trainers;

  • Emma Kingston

  • Victoria Limadibrata

  • Miriam Barbosa

  • Dana M. Gingras

  • Chantal Deeble

  • Kathy Van Patten

In addition:

Certified GYROTONIC® Master Trainers; 

  • Hillary Cartwright & Magali Messac

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Silke enjoy’s and values quality time spent with dear friends. She highlights building happy memories within her loving and multigenerational family setting, as precious time well spent. She much loves adventures in the great outdoors with her sweet husband George.

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On your newly set wellness journey and throughout our work together; feel encouraged, supported and inspired, wrapped in the affectionate warmth of personal care and with the professional integrity you deserve.

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SCHEDULE A 30MIN. FREE CONSULTATION HERE

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