Our Team
Lindsay Karr, M.Ed., Founder and President
Lindsay Karr is the founder and president of Mindful Beginnings, which provides essential safety training through Safe Sitter® courses.
Lindsay has a degree in English Education from Boston University, a Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Virginia, and has completed post-graduate coursework in school administration at Johns Hopkins University. Lindsay has over 20 years of experience teaching students of all ages, and she currently supervises student teachers in the DC area.
The idea for Mindful Beginnings first emerged when Lindsay began looking for a high-quality babysitting course for her oldest daughter. Local classes often lacked flexibility and convenience, so Lindsay created a solution that brought the training directly to students.
Lindsay offers Safe Sitter® programs that teach critical skills: home-alone safety, responsible care, basic first aid, rescue techniques, and CPR. She is passionate about helping every generation stay safe while learning to care for others responsibly.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Yesmina Battle, MAT
Kiera Shanahan, BSN, RN
Abigail Plaza, BSN, RN
Yesmina is a District of Columbia Public Schools elementary teacher with a Master of Arts in Teaching and over nine years of classroom experience working with children in pre-K through fourth grade. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction, and Policy. Yesmina has extensive experience leading youth programs, family engagement initiatives, and summer enrichment programming, and she brings a warm, student-centered approach to every course she teaches.
Abigail Plaza, BSN, RN
Kiera Shanahan, BSN, RN
Abigail Plaza, BSN, RN
Abigail is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America. Her clinical background spans pediatrics, women's health, medical-surgical care, and post-anesthesia recovery at hospitals including INOVA Fairfax, Holy Cross, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She brings a compassionate, family-centered approach to teaching the skills caregivers need to keep children safe.
Kiera Shanahan, BSN, RN
Kiera Shanahan, BSN, RN
Kiera Shanahan, BSN, RN
Kiera is a neonatal intensive care nurse at Children's National Hospital with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America. Her clinical experience includes pediatrics at INOVA Fairfax, community health, women's health, and adult medical-surgical care. Kiera is certified in CPR, BLS, AED, and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and she brings years of childcare experience to her teaching alongside her clinical expertise.
Helena Carboy, BSN
Monique DeFrees, M.Ed.
Kiera Shanahan, BSN, RN
Helena holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America's Conway School of Nursing. Her extensive clinical background includes pediatric care at Inova Fairfax, community health at Unity Health Care Clinic, and specialized training in psychiatric mental health and general surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. In addition to her hospital rotations, Helena has served as a medical assistant for New York Cancer and Blood Specialists, caring for up to 50 patients per shift. Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), she brings a positive, highly compassionate, and professional demeanor to her teaching, helping students confidently master essential safety and caregiving skills.
Chyna Brodie, BA
Monique DeFrees, M.Ed.
Monique DeFrees, M.Ed.
Chyna teaches for Swing Education, where she provides classroom instruction across multiple K-12 schools throughout the DC area. Chyna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in African American Studies from American University. Her experience with young people includes her work as a summer camp counselor, where she mentored groups of children and led daily activities. A proven leader who served two terms as Student Body President at American University, Chyna brings an energetic, dependable, and student-centered approach to every course she teaches.
Monique DeFrees, M.Ed.
Monique DeFrees, M.Ed.
Monique DeFrees, M.Ed.
Monique is an elementary school teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools with a Master of Education in Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland. She has nearly a decade of classroom experience teaching elementary students, plus years of work as a paraeducator, tutor, and longtime Girl Scout troop leader. Monique brings deep experience supporting children at every learning level, including English language learners and students with IEPs.
Gaby Hodor
Gaby Hodor
Gaby Hodor
Gaby is pursuing a dual degree in Human Development and Animal Sciences at the University of Maryland. She has more than six years of experience teaching children, including her longstanding role as a horseback riding and horsemanship instructor for students ages 7 to 12, and as an after-school STEM program instructor in Montgomery County. Gaby is a recipient of the Andrea Goff Endowed Scholarship from UMD's College of Education, and she brings a patient, hands-on approach to helping young learners build confidence and practical skills.