Passion Statement
The Birds & Bees Connection has developed a unique model of parent-child courses that celebrate the transition between childhood and adolescence. Our courses create a safe, engaging environment where parents and children come together to openly discuss the physical and emotional changes leading toward, and including, adolescence.
At the Birds & Bees Connection, we help to create a solid foundation whereby parents feel empowered talking with their children, and children gain confidence that leads to an increase of self-esteem and a lasting positive body image.
By educating both parents and children in an engaging, comfortable manner, our goal is to provide accurate information that fosters an open channel of communication about topics that might otherwise be difficult to broach. Ultimately our goal for children is that this experience will translate into good decision-making throughout adolescence.
Our Team:
Leslie Dixon, Executive Director/Founder
Leslie Dixon, Founder and Executive Director of the Birds & Bees Connection, has taught hundreds of courses and shared her unique, comprehensive parent-child programs with tens of thousands of couples throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. She has trained a team of certified educators who teach her courses in Southern California and throughout the United States.
Ms. Dixon’s seminars and classes meet the need for connection and communication between parents and children, especially in times of profound transition such as adolescence. Having spent 25 years as a school nurse teaching Family Life, Health Science and Sex Ed., she continually saw the effects of parent-child disconnection. She founded the Birds & Bees Connection in 2002 to bridge that gap and offer tools, information and connections, empowering parents to be a positive and engaged presence in their children’s lives.
The Birds & Bees Connection’s curricula are used by non-profit organizations, religious organizations, schools and various youth and athletic organizations, as well as by educators across the United States.
Leona Laurie, Marketing Director
Leona was the Birds & Bees Connection’s first team member, there at the beginning in the role of Public Relations Coordinator. After working with Leslie to launch the agency, she went on to establish herself in marketing, specializing in the strategic use of social media and blogs. Her career path was deeply influenced by Leslie paying for her to learn HTML in 2001 so that she could build the Birds & Bees Connection’s first website, and she is happy to be on the team again today. She holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Oregon in Communication and Society.
Sharyn Konick, Educator
Sharyn received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and her Bachelor’s Degree in Writing and Sociology from Ithaca College. For the past 22 years she has worked as a social worker and as a director in a range of public/private organizations serving the specialized learning needs of young children, those with mental health issues or families in crisis. Sharyn lives in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, with her husband and twins. She is a Girl Scout Troop Leader, a busy sports mom and a very active volunteer at her children’s school.
Susan Patcha, Educator
Susan attended CSULB’s Nursing Program. She has worked as a NICU RN at CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital since 1999. She currently holds several roles there, including NICU RN, Lead Lactation Consultant and Discharge Coordinator. She lives in Rancho Santa Margarita with her husband and twins. She is a PTA member, Sunday school teacher and the secretary for the Orange County Breastfeeding Coalition. She has been an educator for the Birds & Bees Connection since 2014. Her favorite part of being a nurse is educating families.