S3: Ep 50: I Like the Basics

Special Message from Aria: When we started this podcast adventure I wasn’t sure where it would take us. One season or many? A few episodes or hundreds? I still don’t know what the future holds for this explosion of creativity but I do know how proud I am to release our 50th episode. We got this far because our team, our guests and our listeners heard something that resonated with them and kept coming back for more.

No project is the purview or effort of just one person- this podcast is the work of a dedicated team: a marvelous content creator: Melissa Pletscher-Nizinsky, and an incredible producer and manager: Rayna Booth, our generous guests, and the people who encourage me to build the world I want to live and work in.

This episode is special to me because I’m able to share my first cheerleader, my day one, the person who literally helped me become who I want to be: my mom. In a season where we are spending a lot of time talking about mentors and understanding the role of mentors in my life, I wanted to share my first mentor with all of you.

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as my mom and I enjoyed recording it. She’s a pretty spectacular person and I’m so pleased to be able to share her with you for an hour.

Leslie Camaione is retired from a career working with nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing Special Education, Independent Living, and therapy services to children and adults, and their families. She has worked closely with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, New York State Department of Education, and New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities aiding educators, therapists, and practitioners in collaborative community-based, site-based, and home-based settings. Leslie supported various evaluation teams in providing identification, evaluation, and treatment recommendation services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, transitioning school-age students, and adults.  She has participated in state and county initiatives to improve adult literacy among migrant populations, explore palliative care resources for Child Life Specialists, and develop first-year mentoring strategies for infant and preschool Special Education teachers in home and community-based settings. Leslie has acted as an on-site guest mentor to enhance person-centered planning in residential settings. She provided support group facilitation for mandated and volunteer parents at risk. 

As a young mother and military spouse, Leslie pursued a non-traditional education resulting in two undergraduate degrees, graduate studies in counseling, education, and social policy, and a management certificate.   

In retirement, Leslie's primary focus is on recreation, leisure, and travel activities that are enjoyed in the company of her husband, family, and friends. 

Mentor: 

 
I have enjoyed the good judgement and guidance of many individuals over the years. However, someone in particular stands out as a consistent role model and inspiration to me. Karen is a colleague from mid-career, who has become a dear friend. Her personal and professional experience provided sound mentoring support in my work life and continues to significantly empower me in retirement. 

Links: 

New York State Office of Children and Family Services

New York State Department of Education

New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Keywords: podcast, good, do good, amplify, amplify good, mother, parenting, people with disabilities, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, time, joy, reflection, health, abundance, gratitude, protective factors, creativity, physical activity, grandmother