During working hours, don’t be surprised to find Sandy Larsen jumping up and down, playing pat-a-cake or reading children’s stories. It’s all part of her job as lead teacher in the Bear Room at the UNMC Child Development Center.
There, amid rattles, cribs and bottles, Larsen is responsible for the care of eight infants, which currently includes triplets.
“It’s a job you want to come to each day,” she said, with one infant on her lap and another at her knee. “It’s so rewarding. They give you hugs and smiles, and if you come to work down, they make you happy.”
For her outstanding performance and service, Larsen has received the Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ Award for November.
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“Sandy is exactly the type of person you would want taking care of your child,” said one nominator. “She is extremely kind and gentle, soft-spoken and has a very loving and reassuring demeanor with the babies…There is no greater challenge facing working parents today than the issue of safe, high quality care for our children. Employees at UNMC are extremely fortunate to have the Child Development Center on our campus and to have teachers like Sandy Larsen caring for our children and ensuring that they are in a safe, loving environment that is also a lot of fun.”
Another nominator agreed. “Sandy is one of those extraordinary people who seem to never get ruffled and this is not an easy task when there are eight infants clamoring for her attention. Somehow she manages to give them all the love and attention they need.”
Larsen and teaching assistant Dee Ruckman work as a team in the Bear Room, where they celebrate the milestones of each child by encouraging parents to visit the center, share news in the center newsletter and remember the children with cards and gifts when they graduate from the center.
“You get pretty attached to them by the time they leave,” she said.
The mother of two grown daughters, Larsen is adept at rocking young children. She spent 18 years providing child care in her house while her two daughters were growing up. She also taught Brownies for six years and was active in PTO activities. Afterward, she worked a short time in a gift shop before her sister called and said UNMC was opening a day care. Today, Larsen is one of the few original lead teachers who welcomed the center’s first children in 1991.
Larsen began working at UNMC shortly before the center opened and was among those who helped set up and decorate the rooms, as well as organize the necessary supplies for more than 100 infants and children. She also helped organize the first open house for the parents. In addition, she must maintain her CPR and first aid certification.
“I love babies,” Larsen said. “It can be challenging to keep eight babies happy all the time, but they learn so much during their first year. It’s enjoyable to watch them develop — they’re so much smarter than most people realize.”
The children Larsen cared for when the center opened in 1991 are now sixth-graders. Since then, she has cared for, entertained and loved hundreds of children — each with a distinct and unique personality.
“I want to teach them security and love and trust,” Larsen said, holding one of the younger children. “If they grow up with that they feel more confident in themselves.”
Outside the center, the Crescent Iowa, resident, works three nights a week at Oriental Trading Company, enjoys bowling and spending time with her four grandchildren.