Hi everyone, my name is Emalee Payne! I was born and raised in Beaufort. I lived in Charleston for a little over five years, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the College of Charleston. Now I am back living in the Lowcountry!
From a young age I have always had a passion for working with kids. My first job was working at a summer camp as a counselor. From there, I started babysitting while continuing to work at summer camps.
From the start of college, I knew I wanted to work with children in need. Helping kids with developmental delays and learning disabilities has always had a special place in my heart-they deserve the same opportunities and support as everyone else. When looking for a job, I knew I wanted to do something important with my degree. I came across About Play, read their mission statement and many of the staff bios, and felt that their morals and mission aligned with mine. It made me feel like this would be a perfect fit.
I am really excited for the opportunity to work closely with families and help support their children’s growth and development. I know it will be incredibly rewarding to build relationships with the kids and their families while being part of their progress and successes!
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, going out on the boat, hanging out with my two dogs (Oakley & Diesel), being with family and crafting.