OUR TEACHERS
The “Outside the Box” program is only as good as it’s teachers! We are very fortunate to have a tightly-knit group of individuals who share the OTB vision, in regard to education, attachment and bonding, and developmental learning. All of OTB’s teachers are trained on a curriculum of over 800 activities that foster multi-sensory learning. The teachers are educated, experienced, compassionate, nurturing, and committed to helping parents learn how to be their child’s “first and most effective” teacher!
Octavia is the Owner/Founder, Lead Teacher, Teacher Trainer, and CEO of “Outside the Box”. The program was started in her living room in 2007 with ten original OTB moms! It all started with the idea that parents could learn to teach their children “through play”. Sensory learning at that time was prioritized primarily for special needs children, but she saw the need for it with “typical” children as well. At that time, Octavia was a certified Labor Doula, Childbirth Educator, International Infant Massage Instructor, Reiki Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Hypnosis Instructor for labor and delivery, and Reflexologist. Her career changed drastically in 2000 when she changed professions from the corporate world to a much more holistic arena helping parents and their children. She is the mother of three adult children. Her academic background started in Law, then transitioned into Medicine when she lost her 4-year-old sister to cancer in 1990. She stayed in the Hematology-Oncology field until moving to Industry in 2001 where she was then the Director of Operations for a Medical Education company that specialized in HIV and Urology research. It was when she became pregnant with her 3rd child that she decided to switch professions and started dedicating her life to families. Her interest in the human brain was apparent in college where she studied Child Development, Sociology and Neuroscience.
After working with many families and children, she decided she wanted to concentrate on helping parents learn infant massage, especially parents with children that were experiencing colic, premature birth, or sleep disturbances. Her interest in the infant brain grew stronger, and that is when the concept for an educational program for infants with “developmental value and benefit” came into existence. It was obvious that many parents were not exactly sure how to “play” and/or just have fun with their young infants, and of course, the obvious benefit of attachment and bonding was important. Octavia felt that this needed to be remedied! Octavia is an avid researcher and started researching the value and importance of multi-stimulation in the infant brain, and how to accomplish this through specifically designed activities. Following much of the work of Physicians/Scientists such as Margot Sunderland, Dan Siegel, T. Berry Brazelton, and Stanely Greenspan – the program was designed to teach parents activities to participate with their babies at home, build community, and enhance attachment and bonding. These groups are not designed to create an environment that is attached to accomplishing milestones, rather, develop a pathway for future learning. Octavia feels strongly that the learning and stimulation that the infants receive today will create a pattern of healthy stimulation, learning, and brain function in the future. As well, socialization is a main objective. OTB is committed to assisting parents in becoming their child’s “first and most effective” teacher!
Octavia is committed to creating an environment for children where their brains can grow. She is the founder of the adult program “Brain Builders” which focuses on seniors with dementia, cognitive decline in adults, and head trauma. She is a public speaker and has two unique and popular learning lectures that she presents frequently entitled “The Science of Sleep” and “The Science of Tantrums”. Octavia is also the Owner of a Metaphysical Health & Wellness Center called “Breathe” (www.breathewh.com) and a Sensory Center for Children called “Blue Planet” (www.blueplanet4kids.com). Both are located in Woodland Hills.
Erica came to OTB after working in infant/toddler/preschool programs in Los Angeles for over 10 years. At the time, she was working on her Master’s degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College and knew it was time to focus on working with parents and their children. Inspired, she became certified as both a Breakthrough Parenting instructor and a Reflective Parenting facilitator while continuing her education at USC for a Master’s in Social Work. She’s finishing up her doctoral dissertation for The Graduate Center for Child Development and Psychotherapy at the Reiss-Davis Institute. Most of her work has focused on attachment, affect regulation, and meeting the developmental needs of children and individuals at all stages of life. She continues working with OTB & FLOW, educating families with Presence in Parenting, and working as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing therapy for all ages.
Lead Teacher/Teacher Trainer
Amy is full of energy and has a knack for putting the “active” in “activity-time” with the little ones! She is a mother of three children herself and has worked in various aspects of the creative-child industry for over 20 years. She brings her innovation to the OTB lesson plans and is sure to incorporate her crafty skills. Amy is known for her creative services in facilitating Craft Bars at kid’s parties. She is familiar with “sensory play” and always has great ideas for her students to “experience learning and get messy”! It is without a doubt that the children who attend Amy’s classes will have a great time as well as the parents or caregivers! You won’t be sitting for very long with this teacher! She will have you on your feet and participating and interacting with your child – the OTB way!
Erika has been with the OTB program for several years as a parent. Her natural ability to nurture children, and her interest in the science behind the OTB program unsurprisingly led her to the possibility of teaching. With three children of her own, she understood well the benefits of boosting “brain development” through “play”. Erika sailed through the training and testing phase of becoming an OTB teacher and is now leading her own Center and Field classes. She encompasses the perfect balance of “fun” and “learning” with her teaching style, and has even taken on ‘Sensory” classes! Erika is knowledgeable, engaging, and present in class, and both parents and students walk away having learned something valuable. She is a true asset to the OTB Family!
Zara is a passionate and dedicated “Outside The Box” teacher. Her goal is to make a positive impact with each class and with its participants. She spent a year directly assisting the program creator and company owner, Octavia Lindlahr, where she was mentored and groomed to teach her own classes. Zara’s prior experience as a swim instructor, working with young children shines through in the way that she connects with her students. She has a charismatic and outgoing energy that draws people in, and makes her students feel comfortable. Zara is committed to introducing new activities with every OTB session that she teaches to keep things fresh, fun, and engaging for the little ones and their parents. A passion for personal growth and positive brain development is what attracted Zara to OTB and it is apparent not only through her teaching, but in her personal life as well. Zara’s free time is often spent indulging in the creative arts, spending time in nature, and furthering her education. She is pursuing a BA in business while remaining committed to growing into an amazing OTB teacher, shaping young minds, and nurturing their development with care and expertise. Zara has become a very valuable addition to the OTB team.
Jaclyn Mandel is a mom of two who loves everything about “kids”! She was born and raised in the Valley and got her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Family Studies from CSUN, was a preschool teacher, and then a Nanny for the same family for 14 years. She then got certified as a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and owns “Sleepless in the Valley” where she coaches parents of children ages 0-12 on how to teach their kids healthy, independent sleeping skills.
When Jaclyn stumbled on OTB she knew it was the perfect opportunity to mesh her love of kids, teaching, and science together. Babies are drawn to her and she absolutely loves helping parents be their best selves while watching children learn, develop, and grow.
Giulianna was born and raised in Costa Rica. She studied Bilingual Preschool Teaching at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica. She has over 7 years of experience instructing preschoolers as a Learning Coach for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Giuliana has always been passionate about teaching children with care, love, and always with a happy and positive attitude. She is fascinated in seeing how children’s minds develop, and believes that children are our future and a true treasure in the world! Giuliana is excited to play a role in their development and finds joy in offering knowledge and tools to help mold future generations of children as well as new parents. When she discovered and learned about OTB, she was immediately drawn to the idea of everything OTB stands for. Giuliana is an incredible addition to the OTB Family!
Brittany is a mother of three who is currently pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology while holding a Master’s in Psychology from Pepperdine University and an B.A. in Mass Communications from Arizona State University. Her fun and friendly personality is matched by her love for people which ultimately carries into her natural connection with children. Brittany’s studies in Infant Learning and Child Development have expanded her love for the way children can learn effectively. Her child-like and playful spirit takes children and parents to a fun-filled learning moment in time. She enjoys meeting each child where they are developmentally and watching them grow. Sensory development has been a foundation for her own children and now she shares her love with others as an OTB teacher.