Joanna Mathewson works with Dallas and Erin at ONH Awareness. Our group started on Facebook in 2007 and became a non profit in 2021. Joanna found the ONH Facebook group in 2014 from doing a simple search, the page popped up immediately! Joanna has an Early Childhood Education Certificate in Childcare Development/Management. She became a Board Certified Advocate in Special Education Through The National Association of Special Education Teachers in 2023. Her professional background of early childhood education spans the course of over 22 years! She has worn many hats in the field of education: lead preschool teacher, childcare center Program Supervisor, a career nanny, manager of an indoor Montessori play therapy/Co-working space and the most important role of all – mom of two beautiful girls! Joanna’s daughter, Chrissa is 13 years old and has ONH. Together Chrissa and Joanna spread awareness of ONH most places they visit. You can find them making videos on the ONH Awareness TikTok account now! They hope to meet and make friends with others affected with ONH. Joanna met her supportive husband, Rudee in 2016. They married in 2019 and together the three of them added Penelope (Penny Jo) to their family in 2020. They recently bought their first home In Marysville, WA in 2021 and are enjoying the area while making their house into a cozy, accessible home. Joanna’s main passion is teaching children of all ages, but focuses mainly on birth – 5 years. She has been praised as a “baby whisperer” and “has positively impacted many children”. She become a strong advocate in her community as a volunteer certified IEP Parent Partner, a Special Education liaison in the school district and an active member with Parents of Blind Children through the National Federation for the Blind in Seattle, WA. Joanna and Chrissa participate in many local organizations for blind children. Her and her family enjoy arts and crafts, playing board games, watching sporting events, attending concerts, swimming, eating yummy food, camping & other outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family. With any extra time she has, Joanna loves walking, any form of water is relaxing, reading, being present in her daughters lives, gardening and house plants are a new hobby and most importantly, she enjoys researching medical information & studies and expanding her knowledge of inclusive practices in her community. Joanna is honored to serve as the Vice President and Treasurer at ONH Awareness and is dedicated to her position. Thank you for reading!