Who Makes Things Happen at Connecting Hearts Coaching? Meet Carolyn! | Kids Out and About Houston <

Who Makes Things Happen at Connecting Hearts Coaching? Meet Carolyn!

12 People Who Make Things Happen for Kids in Houston

llll

Who makes things happen at Connecting Hearts Coaching?

Meet Carolyn Gray!

Connecting Hearts Coaching

Carolyn Gray is a certified professional coach, author and gratitude enthusiast at Connecting Hearts Coaching. She developed the KinderReady curriculum at The Woodlands Children's Museum preparing young children for kindergarten socially and academically. Her All About ME (Manners and Etiquette) course teaches young children self-esteem, how to make introductions, proper handshakes, showing respect and much more. She loves seeing the change in behavior from one shy 4-and-5-year-olds to mature, expressive KinderReady students.

What does your job entail?

My job entails teaching basic manners and etiquette, making introductions, proper handshake and eye contact, table setting (casual, informal and formal), following instructions, inside and outside behavior and journaling.

How did you become involved in working with your organization?

cggMy friend, Stacey Jata, introduced me to Angela Colton, Executive Director, The Woodlands Children’s Museum.  After discussing my book, All About ME* (*Manners and Etiquette) with Angela, she invited me to participate in the KinderReady program by teaching Manners and Etiquette. The KinderReady program is a phenomenal program that prepares 4 and 5 year olds socially as well as academically for kindergarten.

What is the most fun part of your job?

The most fun and rewarding part of my job is observing the children learn, retain and apply new information.  It is fascinating to watch them share with their classmates. If someone does not say please, thank you, or excuse me, they will remind each other to use their manners.

How did you get started in your field of work?

I have always been interested in helping others display appropriate manners and etiquette 

ccc

and it started with my siblings.  My Mom and grandmother told us that people enjoyed being around others with good manners and I have carried that advice around with me for years. 

Several years ago, I observed some children misbehaving and though that someone should do something to help them understand how to conduct themselves in public (and private).  That someone as it turned out is me!

I researched many many manners and etiquette books, took Manners and Etiquette classes and concluded that it was too much information for children to absorb in a short period of time so I decided to write All About ME* (*Manners and Etiquette).  All About ME* is an easy to read book with basic information on manners and etiquette which is printed in hard copy and available on Ipad books.

What are some of your favorite events at your organization?

The Woodlands Children’s Museum has so many fun activities; it is hard to decide.  The Mad Hatters Tea Party, Mardi Gras, The Chinese New Year, Pancakes with Santa are just a few of my favorite events at the museum.

What kind of unusual things have you done in the course of your job there?

I don’t consider it unusual; however, it is a bit different-- with the Director’s approval I introduced journaling to the KinderReady class.  When I mentioned to friends and associated that the students journal the first thing they ask is “can they write!”  Some of the students can – most can’t but that does not stop them from journaling.  Some draw while others write “scribble scrabble ” and the teacher, Ms Bev and I write what they tell us they have written.  They are extremely creative and looking at the pictures of the students journaling you will notice how intense and focused they are during this activity.

The phrase “scribble scrabble” was used by one of the students as she described the work of one of her classmates.  The irony was that her page was “scribble scrabble” to me but to her, it was a story about a princess!

Tell us a little about your life outside of your work

Outside of my work at The Woodlands Children’s museum, I am a Professional Coach, HR Consultant, Personality Assessment Trainer, Author and Etiquette Consultant.

I am a member of Embassy Church, Kingwood, Women on a mission to earn commission (WOAMTEC), The Woodlands Chapter; Board member of Montgomery County Association of Business Women (MCABW); and Advisory Board member of Services Cooperative Association (SCA).

cg

I am married, I have a son, a daughter and son-in-love and two grandsons. I enjoy playing golf, reading and traveling.

What other interests do you have in the community?

Serving as a volunteer for I-Go Pink and Meals on Wheels.

Do you have any new events in the upcoming year?

I will be conducting three Personality Assessment Workshops this year for adults and two for TWEENS and Teens.  Information about the workshops will be listed on my website: connectingheartscoaching.com or by calling 281.381.3316

What are some great ways parents can get kids interested in coming to your organization?

Bring them one time!  They will ask to come back because there are other children there, there are fun art projects, story time, crafts, Lego fun, akitchen play station, fire station, theater stage and so many more fun activities.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself...

I love to blow bubbles!

 

 


Click here to get back to the main article: 12 People Who Make Things Happen for Kids in Houston