Thursday Table Talk:Reflecting back on 2009: Mary Ann X Meddish INA NOTY

By Glenda Propst

As her year of being INA Nanny of the Year draws to a close, we asked Mary Ann Meddish some questions about her last year.

What did being NOTY mean to you?
I believe that being selected as a Nanny of the Year should not be looked at as a pinnacle of achievement but instead as a commitment to continue on as an example of what it means to do your personal best in this career choice and industry. Being the 2009 Nanny of the Year means that I have been recognized for who I am and what I have done so far during my career in an industry that has not yet come into its own. It also means that I will forever be looked to as an example, and that I have an obligation to continue to follow my goals of constantly learning and striving to be one of the best at what I do.


Was it what you expected it would be, why or why not?
I knew that there were certain tasks and duties set before me as the 2009 Nanny of the Year that I would be expected to complete but I also knew that each past NOTY has brought something deferent to this recognition and that it was my job to make it my own. I cannot say that I reached the masses and made people listen, as I have never been one to seek attention. Instead I looked at my time as the Nanny of the Year as an opportunity to help strengthen the potential leaders of tomorrow, to encourage others in the industry to continue working towards their personal best and to recognize their strengths and achievements and to truly see what they have become and what they have to offer to this industry as it moves into the future and claims the positive recognition that it deserves.

How did it change you?
Being selected as the 2009 NOTY forced me to step up in a more noticeable way instead of my usual role of hiding behind the more outgoing and vocal members of our industry where I was (and still am) very content to play the role of a supporting them in getting things done.

What was the highlight of your year?
It may seem strange (it certainly surprised me) but one of the highlights of this year was facing my fears and speaking at last year’s conference. There have been times I have found myself involved in something before a group without warning and I always felt so self conscious and scared of messing up that I couldn’t get into it or enjoy it. There was no way I would volunteer and step out there willingly and just go for it.

What surprised you the most?
Receiving this recognition threw me right in the middle of my fears, on a stage with the job of addressing my peers, showing my appreciation, and encouraging other nannies, while also letting people get to know me a bit more. I promise I was shaking when I stepped up to deliver that speech but I accomplished that task and got a couple of laughs in the process. I have found myself before groups a few times recently and I am now able to fear it less and actually enjoy it a little bit.

What is your message to the new NOTY and do you have any encouraging words or advice for future candidates?
I am proud of the people in this industry; of what we are and what we are becoming and I am honored to address them as my peers. As I look to the future I hope and pray that others making this career choice and getting involved in this industry will allow themselves to learn and grow and try new things and reach their full potential. I hope to see the leaders of tomorrow coming into their own and stepping out of that comfortable place where they say ‘being a nanny is my job’ to owning the statement ‘being a nanny is my career’ to responding to the calling to make a difference and stepping up to be involved with the growth of our industry. We are nannies and we have the ability to do amazing things!

Catching up with Christy .....

2007 Nanny of the Year™
Introducing Christy Ochs as 2007 INA Nanny of the Year™.

Read Christy's acceptance speech.


Christy Ochs is not your typical nanny. She is the mother of four who took an unusual path to becoming a nanny, a professional caregiver who is a genuine advocate for children, and she represents a positive role model for the in-home child care industry and the International Nanny Association (INA). On May 18, INA awarded Christy its highest honor, The 2007 Nanny of the Year™ (NOTY™) Award during its 22nd Annual Conference held in Alexandria, Virginia.

When Christy turned 42, she decided her child rearing days were not easily left behind—even though she had already reared four children, one with downs syndrome, and two step children. “I chose to be a nanny because the idea of doing for the parents what I would have loved to have had done for me as a young parent was very appealing. I loved the idea of not only providing a secure and loving environment for their children, but also taking some of the daily pressure off of their shoulders by doing their laundry, straightening up the house and helping the children with their school assignment.”

Christy is now working with her third family and cares for three-year-old Hawk who attended the conference with his mother. During the award ceremony, he presented flowers to Christy. “My boss, Jill, nominated me for the NOTY™. I was so honored and touched to have been nominated, especially by my employer. Lot’s of people go through their entire working lives without feeling appreciated. I can't tell you how much this nomination meant to me. Every time my little charges say "I love you Nana!" I feel like Nanny of the Year.”

What does it take to be INA’s Nanny of the Year™? Officially, it takes at least five years of professional nanny experience; an education in the field of child care; a nomination from a nanny recruiting agency or employer; and several references. Unofficially, it takes a lot of love and patience.

Christy is the founder/moderator of the Denver Area Nanny Association. She has been a member of INA since 2001, and is also a member of NANC (National Association of Nanny Credentialing) and Nanny Support Group Leaders. She was inspired to start the Denver Area Nanny Association in 2003 after attending her first INA conference. Now with 28 local members, the group arranges play dates, nanny dinners and coffee gatherings, and organizes and participates in CPR/First Aid training for nannies.

2009 Update: Since receiving the NOTY™ award, Christy has enjoyed working with the same family that nominated her. She has now been with that family for 6 years and her charges are now ages 6, 4 and 2. In January of 2008, the family moved into a new house and Christy was able to reduce her hours to 30 per week so that she could help out with her new grandbaby.

Christy continues to play an active role in her local nanny support group, Denver Area Nanny Association. Last spring she asked one of the other nannies in the group to take over leadership. "The new moderator is doing a super job and we have such a wonderful group of Nannies here in Colorado!" said Christy.

Are YOU the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year? Deadline for applications is March 10. Don't forget that NOTY Mentors are available to any nominee or those considering nomination.

What role music plays for the 1998 INA Nanny of the Year.

1998 INA Nanny of the Year Cynthia Wilkinson

Cynthia divides her time between her nanny career and her career as a professional musician. In 2000, Cynthia released her first children's CD called Jumpin' Up to the Moon and in 2003, she released Jumpin' On Down the Road. Cynthia is still very involved as a nanny for her 5 year old charge, Blake, and has enjoyed serving as a nanny mentor for INA. In 2004, she launched her website, jumpinwithcindy.com, where she can now market her CD's to a national audience. Cynthia is also a faculty member of the Swallow Hill Music School and the Denver Center Theatre Academy, as well as an Artist in Residence with Young Audiences and the director of the children's choir, "Sound Seekers". Her work with children also includes serving as Master Teacher for the Metropolitan State College of Denver's Child Development Center and presenting at conferences throughout the country.

How receiving the NOTY™ award has impacted her career: Cynthia says "It was a wonderful experience to serve the nanny profession as NOTY™. One highlight was being featured on a local PBS program. I was not filmed or interviewed, but journalists from the Denver area discussed a story about me that was written in the Denver Post. They focused on my high level of education and professionalism. It was such an honor to be treated with respect by the press and not to be involved in a "tabloid level" of reporting. I was proud to be able to spread the word that there are many true professionals who have chosen to become career nannies."

What is she doing now? Cynthia is working as a nanny in the Denver area for an 18 month old girl and is celebrating her 10th year as a member of the faculty at the Denver Center Theatre Academy. In her spare time, she assists with a children's choir, and recently performed with the choir on her hammered dulcimer. Cynthia also enjoys being active in INA and writes for the associations newsletter, INAVision. Cynthia hopes to release her first lullaby CD, Jumpin' Into Dreamland, this spring.

Words of wisdom: Be creative in finding new ways to make your nanny career interesting. Look "outside the box" for new avenues to travel on your nanny journey.

Check out Cindy’s new music blog!

Could you be the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year? Find out more about the nomination / application process on the INA website.

Are you looking for an INA Nanny of the Year mentor? Would you like to work with a past recipient of the award to answer questions, offer insight and guide you through the process? Read how the mentor program works and how you can take advantage of this offer through the INA.

Being Nominated for the INA Nanny of the Year Award is .....

This week we catch up with Jenny Brown, 2005 INA Nanny of the Year.

Jenny shares with us that … “Being named the 2005 INA Nanny of the Year was a huge thrill. Personally, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I was being acknowledged for something I am truly passionate about. I love my job and career and was honored to be chosen. I think professionally it benefitted me greatly. I know my current employers were impressed and knew they had a true professional when they hired me. I think it also gave me confidence. I decided to go back to school to earn my ECE degree. I went through the year long program and now need to finish a few more classes to fulfill that goal. Many doors have opened for me and I owe a lot of them to being the 2005 Nanny of the Year.

Do you know an outstanding nanny that should be the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year. She may be a friend, co-worker, nanny you’ve placed or member of your local nanny support group. She may be a daughter, wife or your nanny! Consider nominating them for the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year, to be awarded in May at the 25th Annual INA Conference in San Francisco.

Being nominated for the INA Nanny of the Year award is:

• an honor

• about being a voice for all nannies

• a true validation of your career choice

• a confirmation that you are in the right place, doing the right thing

• a platform for future success

• about honoring ALL nannies who dedicate their lives to caring for children

• about revisiting and reexamining your professional goals

• about growing as a professional

• about reflecting on your experience being part of a parenting team

• an affirmation of the dedication and love you have for your profession

• about finding out how many lives you have truly impacted

• a celebration of your career choice

• a confidence booster

• a realization that you can dream bigger dreams

• a reminder that your life and your work has profoundly impacted others.


To help out our nominees or learn more about the process, INA has gathered past Nanny of the Year recipients who will act as mentors to potential candidates. From application questions to help putting together a portfolio, these past NOTY winners will guide candidates through the process. Find out more about the INA Nanny of the Year Mentor Program here.