Leigha Witecki

After moving to Seattle in 2023 to pursue my degree, I found my love for working with kids at Spruce Street School as an afterschool teacher for their extended day program. I love showing up for them in creative, thoughtful ways. I’m also super passionate about storytelling and visual media, and I love finding ways to spark imagination and build confidence through art.

I bring a mix of patience, playfulness, and experience in fast-paced environments. Whether I’m helping a group of 8-year-olds collaborate on a short film or making a kid feel safe after a hard day, I try to lead with empathy and curiosity, in whatever position I'm in. 

I am finishing my 2 years at Seattle Central in June, and will be receiving my AA in Visual Media. Next year, I will be returning to Seattle Central to pursue my degree in Cognitive Behavioral Sciences, hopefully to become a school counselor. 

I am proficient in working with kids, using cameras, adobe software, like photoshop and premiere, and any fast paced, social environment.

In 2022–2023, I worked at Ice Cream Social in Tacoma for two years. As one of the busiest ice cream shops in the region, we regularly had lines out the door, and I helped serve over 200 customers per shift. I assisted guests with their orders, took daily inventory of flavors, handmade waffle cones, and handled heavy inventory—all while keeping up in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

In the summer of 2023, I volunteered at The Grand Cinema’s film camp, mentoring kids ages 8–14 as they created their first short films. I worked closely with small groups, guiding them through scriptwriting, directing, and editing while helping them problem-solve, collaborate, and bring their ideas to life.

After moving to Seattle, I worked as a seasonal hostess at El Chupacabra in Greenwood, where I greeted guests, managed seating, and helped keep service running smoothly, especially during busy hours. I then started my current role as an Extended Day Teacher at Spruce Street School, a program with a diverse mix of students, including many on scholarships and neurodivergent kids. I work with groups of up to 80 children ages 5–11, helping them with social-emotional skills, conflict resolution, and structured play. I use trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming approaches to support each child’s needs, whether it’s guiding peer interactions, offering emotional regulation strategies, or creating a safe and inclusive environment.

I am at Seattle Central College getting my Associates Degree in Visual Media in June of 2025. My program was intensive and I took 25 credits a quarter.