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About Us

OUR MISSION


Facilitate a transformative educational experience for au pairs and strengthen the global community by: 
 

  • Connecting people

  • Cultivating personal development, and 

  • Building excellence in all we do.
     

WHAT WE DO

 

2023 marks our 17th year of providing quality, affordable education for au pairs working in the United States. During this time, we have served over 40,000 au pairs from more than 70 countries throughout the world! 

 

Our convenient weekend courses combine learning with fun activities, community engagement, and field trips, in a choice of twelve major locations. These courses are offered through schools of higher education and can satisfy the U.S. Department of State au pair educational requirement. 

 

At APW we are committed to offering more than just a weekend stuffed with classes. We are crafting an EXPERIENCE by selecting staff, classes, activities, and excursions that allow au pairs to make the most of their time in the USA and have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in some of the country’s most iconic cities.

OUR VISION

 

Our vision is to transform lives and enhance the global community.

apw leadership

Click on a staff member's photo to read their bio

Dr. Lora Anderson Cook
 Executive Director/CEO

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Ben Cook
Vice President, Curriculum Committee

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Tanner Nackos
Director of Technology
and Finance

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Alicia Kaye
Chief Operations Officer and
Director of Curriculum

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Erika Barney
Director of City Leadership

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Savannah Benefield
City Director Manager

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Ming Chan
Systems Administrator

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Jessica Contreras
Human Resources Manager

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Mari Provencher
Marketing Manager

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Regan Bodily
Marketing Coordinator

CURRICULUM TEAM

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Aylin Surer
Curriculum Manager, Instructor

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Bee Birgit Bishop
Curriculum Coordinator

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Ramona Fantino
Curriculum Coordinator

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Emily Farthing
Curriculum Coordinator

CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

The Curriculum Committee for Au Pair Weekend is a dedicated and diverse group of staff members committed to enhancing the educational experience for au pairs participating in our weekend courses. APW is renowned for providing high-quality, engaging, and substantive weekend courses designed to empower and educate au pairs during their stay in the U.S., and the Curriculum Committee plays a critical role in making this happen. With expertise in education, cultural studies, language acquisition, politics, law, gender studies, history, pedagogy, and intercultural communication, the Committee members' diverse range of knowledge and experience allows us to approach curriculum development from various perspectives and better serve the needs of our international participants.

Committee Responsibilities:

Curriculum Review: We meet regularly throughout the year to review the existing course offerings, ensuring that they remain up-to-date and relevant to the needs of au pairs and the host families they serve.

Addressing Concerns: The committee serves as a platform for addressing concerns raised by au pairs and our instructors. We are committed to creating a safe and enriching learning environment for everyone involved.

Updating and Revising: As educational trends and cultural contexts evolve, we proactively update and revise our curricula to align with the latest advancements and ensure that our courses remain engaging and informative.

Diversity and Inclusion: We prioritize inclusivity in our curriculum development, ensuring that our courses respect and reflect the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences of our au pairs and host families.

Quality Assurance: Our committee takes pride in maintaining the highest standards of quality in all our course materials, ensuring that every au pair benefits from an enriching and rewarding educational experience.

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Ben Cook
Vice President, Curriculum Committee, Instructor

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Alicia Kaye
Chief Operations Officer and
Director of Curriculum

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Aylin Surer
Curriculum Manager, Instructor

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Dan Chen
Instructor, Curriculum Committee

Dr. Emerald Christopher-Byrd
City Director, Curriculum Committee

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Christian Garcia
Instructor, Curriculum Committee

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Michelle Green,
Instructor, Curriculum Committee

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