BY MICHAELA YIELDING FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN — A former middle school teacher, Ashley Kauffman of Auburn transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her third child in 2021. Although she had stepped away from the classroom, her desire to educate and connect with children remained strong. Recognizing that her passion for teaching science, her talent for baking and her need to work from home could be combined, Kauffman’s sister-in-law encouraged her to connect with Jessica Hamby, a registered dietician in Birmingham who formed Itty Bitty Bakers LLC in 2018 after seeing how much her son enjoyed the baking playdates she organized. Itty Bitty Bakers offers hands-on culinary opportunities for children ages three to 14. Teachers for Itty Bitty Bakers — like Kauffman — host small

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