About Our Instructors
Lisa Butowsky, Founder and Director of Your Charming Child, is a Certified Etiquette Instructor from The International School of Protocol in Towson, MD. She lives and teaches in the Bucks County, PA area and was voted "Best Teacher in Bucks and Montgomery Counties" via The Intelligencer newspaper's yearly contest.
She firmly believes good manners, empathy and socialization are the foundation upon which confident, well-liked and morally-responsible children grow. Her desire to teach life skills stems from paying attention to parents who, over the years, shared their common questions, frustrations and hopes with her in regards to raising a well-rounded child.
Mrs. Butowsky was Salutatorian of her high school graduating class. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis on Infancy and Early Childhood Development from the Pennsylvania State University, main campus. Her entire curriculum focused on the physiological and behavioral development of infants, children and teenagers as well as how family dynamics affect their development.
While observing children in a preschool setting for one of her classes, Mrs. Butowsky became skilled at recognizing behavioral patterns amongst most children in certain scenarios. Her interest in and love of children, along with her abounding patience, prompted her to obtain a PA State Board of Private Schools Teaching Certification for Preschool and Kindergarten.
An internship brought her to Friend's Hospital in Philadelphia, PA where she dealt one on one with troubled children and teens, helped plan and implement therapeutic activities and met with parents to discuss their children’s progress. Mrs. Butowsky conducted her own research study on “The Effect of Parental Participation in Child’s Treatment Plan on Child’s Progress” to fulfill academic requirements.
During her career, she has been a nanny for many families (one, long-term for two years), a lead preschool teacher and a mental health technician for emotionally-troubled youth. Mrs. Butowsky also managed an employment agency for 13 years where her background in human behavior helped her communicate effectively and empathetically with employees and clients.
In her spare time, Mrs. Butowsky enjoys reading, exercising, and cleaning. She had been a volunteer with the Pennridge Senior Center delivering Meals on Wheels for 2 1/2 years. Also, she assists the non-profit agency, Kindness Between Friends which aids single mothers, veterans and those who need a leg up in the Bucks County, PA community. Mrs. Butowsky has completed a Friends and Family CPR/First Aid course sponsored by the American Heart Association and has current Criminal Background, Child Abuse and FBI fingerprint clearances.
She and her sister, Donna Bostany, have written a recently-published children's book (Headline Books Educational Series), Miss Mistake, Mind Your Manners at Home and Mr. Mistake, Mind Your Manners in a Restaurant which are based on the silly characters whom they use in class to show kids what it looks and sounds like to behave rudely and improperly. Available on this site or at HeadlineBooks.com.
Donna Bostany is a Certified Etiquette Instructor of Children and Teens from The International School of Protocol in Towson, MD. She teaches organized groups by appointment only in the Pocono Mountain area of Pennsylvania.
Miss Bostany advocates being a positive role model for our youth. She has performed with children's repertory theater as a professional actress and has done face painting at children's events. Her acting background and creativity allow her to bring fun and excitement to her classes.
Valedictorian of her high school senior class, Miss Bostany went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater Arts from The Pennsylvania State University, where she graduated with Distinction on the Dean's List. Soon afterwards, she entered the Miss Pennsylvania USA Pageant in which she placed among the top ten finalists. Attending charm school herself had prepared Miss Bostany for the pageant and the information she acquired there has been an invaluable part of her everyday communication.
From beauty queen to beauty school, Miss Bostany eventually earned her Cosmetology Licenses in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey. She is experienced in various hairstyling and make-up techniques for children and adults and has received recognition for her talents. She speaks fluent Spanish and has studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. She has current Criminal Background, Child Abuse and FBI fingerprint clearances.
Miss Bostany's favorite hobbies include arts and crafts, creative writing, personal fitness and inspiring others. She and her sister, Lisa Butowsky, have written two published children's book (Headline Books Educational Series), Miss Mistake, Mind Your Manners at Home and Mr. Mistake, Mind Your Manners in a Restaurant which are based on the silly characters whom they use in class to show kids what it looks and sounds like to behave rudely and improperly. Miss Bostany has also illustrated these invaluable books. Available on this site or at HeadlineBooks.com.
Miss Bostany believes that "Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future." ~ JFK
She feels teaching Social Etiquette, Communication Skills and Table Manners with Your Charming Child is a privilege and a pleasure.