Rebekka Henriksen

Experience

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  Shambhala Meditation Center of Albany

  Sept 2005 - Jun 2022

  Meditation Instructor/Teacher

  Teach mindfulness to adults and children in a variety of classes. Designed and implemented mindfulness curriculum for children ages 3-13 and their families. Teaches children in monthly classes and leads mindful parenting group.

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  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  Oct 2005 - Jan 2009

  Administrative Coordinator, Office of Alumni Relations

  Assistant to Vice President of Alumni Relations and Office Manager of 12 staff member Alumni Relations office. Involved in preparing fundraising materials, running Board meetings, preparing fundraising letters and speeches, assisting in managing alumni events, in addition to daily aspects of office management involving supply ordering, equipment maintenance, staff coordination, creating of filing and archival systems, data management, training of temporary staff, preparation of presentations, travel itineraries and arrangements, reimbursement of Vice President’s expenses, letter writing. Show less

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  Sweet Bites Bakeshop

  Jan 2006 - Feb 2009

  Owner/Baker
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  Waking Mindfulness

  Nov 2007 - now

  Owner/Instructor

  Owner and instructor/facilitator of mindfulness training and workshops in both non-profit and for-profit settings.

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  La Leche League International

  Nov 2012 - now

  La Leche League Leader

  Peer counselor/support group leader and educator for breastfeeding parents.

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  NICHQ

  Mar 2015 - Oct 2017

  Mother Faculty as part of New York State for Breastfeeding Quality Improvement in Hospitals. Advised over 50 hospital teams from throughout NYS. Ensured family stakeholders were integral part of project implementation as teams worked to improve breastfeeding initiation and duration rates. Presented at regular Learning Sessions on communicating with families in maternity settings. Moderated monthly calls of parent stakeholders. Wrote articles regarding parent experience and effective communication with families ante and post partum published in the NICHQ newletter and website. Show less

  • Mother Faculty - Breastfeeding Quality Improvement in Hospitals

    Oct 2014 - Oct 2017

  • Family Partner - Einhorn Project

    Mar 2015 - Sept 2016
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  Zoller School

  Sept 2016 - now

  Garden Manager and Educator

  Designs, manages, fundraises, writes grants, and coordinates volunteers for Zoller School edible and native plant gardens. Conducts in-garden and classroom education sessions for students using a garden based curriculum that supports Common Core learning outcomes, involving dynamic hands-on learning activities.

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  Schenectady City School District

  Nov 2020 - now

  Manages all Farm to School related activities including installation of school gardens, creation and implementation of ag-based and garden-based curriculum, creating and leading lessons connected to school garden spaces that support Common Core curriculum, implementation of sustainable best practices as related to outdoor learning gardens, staff trainings around gardens and Farm to School applications in classrooms, coordinating with Food Services to integrate locally and regionally raised products into school breakfast and lunch menus, integration of nutrition lessons with Farm to School connections, management of communications around Farm to School projects, recruitment of volunteers and program partners, hiring and managing of Farm to School interns, cultivating community partners for program support and improving food access and affordability in our district and community, grant writing, assistance in grant management, budget management of funds. Show less Implements and helps manage the USDA Farm to School grant in Schenectady City School District, including planning, writing and teaching curriculum that ties Farm to School topics into Common Core units of study, creating and leading enrichment activities/lesson plans for Summer Enrichment Program and extracurricular garden clubs. Assesses feasibility of and creates school gardens throughout district for Farm to School activities and student nutrition, advises on communications and media plan around initiative. Works with Food Services to include Farm to School items in school menus, popup food distribution events and summer program snacks, increasing accessibility to school students and families to fresh, locally grown produce and other NY raised products. Plans and manages purchasing for Farm to School garden and curriculum materials; hires, trains and supervises student interns. Works with BOCES grant manager to meet USDA reporting deadlines and craft report language. Builds and maintains partnerships with regional farmers and community garden and food justice organizations as well as county library system, county Soil & Water conservation district, local environmental orgs, historical society, Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and nutritionists. Show less

  • Farm to School Project Manager

    Apr 2022 - now

  • Farm to School Coordinator

    Nov 2020 - Jun 2022