“My time at Lark’s Song has truly allowed me to come alive.”
Aubrey Baker is a senior at Indiana Wesleyan University. On April 3rd, She was given the Outstanding Intern Award for her work with Lark’s Song. Aubrey has been with Lark’s Song since May of 2018. Aubrey enjoys many things about working at Lark’s Song, but especially loves the relationships she has built with the Lark’s Song staff. “I love that we aren't just co-workers,” she says.
We’re outstanding! Megan Gilmore with Aubrey Baker winning their Outstanding Employer and Outstanding Intern of the Year Awards in April 2019.
She tells the story of her first days as an intern at Lark’s Song: “During my initial training with Megan I asked her ‘What is the secret to working here?’ and she said something along the lines of ‘We are a family. We take care of each other. If you want to truly be a part of this instead of just an intern passing through – lean in and don’t be afraid to get messy.’ I had no idea what that would entail.”
Aubrey recalls the times she ate pizza at Erica’s house, prepared supplies for Superhero Camp, got coffee with staff members and learned about their lives outside of work, and the home-cooked meals at Megan’s home, where they told riddles and watched TV with Megan’s family. “I truly have gotten to KNOW and be a part of this family and THAT is what I love about working at Lark's Song.”
Will Smith, Emily Hathway, and Aubrey Baker. Doing life together. Coworking in Indianapolis at Reformer House.
She currently works as is the Little Lark's Experience Designer, maintaining and reviewing the Little Larks Well-Being curriculum and working to expand Little Larks by developing new resources to make revenue and also provide free and accessible content for our community. The Lark's Song Well-Being Curriculum uses children’s literature and an experiential learning model to address core components and critical questions around life purpose discovery and well-being. Research has shown that when children are trained in life purpose discovery and well-being they not only have clarity around their purpose and increased well-being, but they also indicate increased academic performance and decreased depression and anxiety.
In the Summer of 2018, Aubrey, Megan, and Erica attended the World Positive Education Accelerator Conference in Dallas, Texas. At this conference, attendees gathered in groups to brainstorm ideas for how to advance positive psychology in the next ten years. Erica and Aubrey created an idea about how low-income families could tell their life story through creative arts. “It included the concept that every individual is worthy of being taken care of and listened to,” Aubrey says. Erica and Aubrey’s prototype was chosen out of nearly 800 experts in the field of positive psychology to be presented at the conference.
Megan Gilmore, Vanessa King, Angela Duckworth, Erica Eyer, and Aubrey Baker at WPEA/IPEN in June 2018.
Aubrey explains, “During this time, we discussed our consideration of vulnerable populations and used forward thinking to develop our unique and practical idea. As we presented this prototype, I was able to recognize that I have unique things to say and contribute.”
In addition to leading a group of children to help discover their superhero strengths at Superhero Camp at the Wabash YMCA, Aubrey created a deck of cards to enhance well-being in low-income families.
Aubrey is currently a part of the Lark’s Song Certified Coach training program with cohort 12. “Acknowledgment is just as important as constructive criticism,” Aubrey shares what she has found to be the most valuable learning from the LSCC coach training program. Aubrey wishes to tell anyone interested in the coach training program, “that you will not find a program or group of people who are as passionate and invested in the coaching profession and the impact it has on our world as the Lark's Song community.”
“My time with Lark’s Song has been a highlight of my undergraduate experience.” Aubrey Baker
For more information on the Little Larks Superhero Camp and to register, visit larkssong.com/camp.
For more information on the LSCC training program and to register, visit https://www.larkssong.com/overview.
BY Jaylan Miller | Writing Intern