About Ana

My Story and Journey in Education

I grew up low-income in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.

In early childhood, I had challenges with walking and had to wear a brace on my legs. I missed out on lots of "normal" early learning opportunities.

When I got to school, I was quickly labelled as "delayed." I was silly, social, easily distracted, and, according to my teachers, I was a slow academic learner. 

Thanks to some super embarrassing moments in elementary school, I created a harmful narrative about myself as a learner. I thought I was dumb.

My saving grace was having parents who kept me safe, showed me love and always championed my social, empathetic, and funny character. They encouraged me to find strength in my character, being such a silly and friendly person.

After graduating high school, my parents encouraged me to go into Early Childhood Education, so I began working with children and families in my childhood community in out-of-school care in 2007.

Yes, I worked on the floor in ECE

I quickly realized how much I loved working with young children and that I needed to learn more to better support them.

Regardless of my self-limiting beliefs, I applied and was accepted into the Early Childhood Education program at Douglas College and graduated in 2010.

Throughout my studies, I worked on the floor, and I reflected on my childhood experiences. I came to acknowledge how many of the teaching practices rooted in shame negatively impacted my sense of self as a learner.

>>>More importantly, in college, I got the chance to create a new narrative about myself as a learner and educator.

My first push into academia and educational leadership 

Early in my ECE career, I gained experience working in various play-based and inquiry-based childcare programs. I worked as an infant and toddler teacher, a support worker and a supervisor. 

In 2014, I began working in adult education, and I taught ECE, Infant Toddler and Special Needs Education courses at a local college. 

Since then, I have taught and worked with a diverse group of students (Indigenous, Immigrant, International, and local ECEs). 

After having my first baby, I began providing professional development workshops and training to ECEs in my local community in about 2016. I only started creating and facilitating workshops because I was asked to do it. Up until that point, I was terrified of visibility and public speaking.

In 2018, I began working in early intervention services (in different roles), providing inclusive and trauma-informed support strategies to parents and caregivers of children with complex needs.

At the same time, I went back to school to earn a Bachelor's in Child and Youth Care (with a specialization in early years) from the University of Victoria (2021). In between these years, I had my second child.

I continued to provide in-person workshops to ECEs and was requested to travel to present professional development. In 2020, all that changed (thanks to the you-know-what), and I was forced to quickly pivot.

I was one of the first in the Early Years field (in BC) to move all my workshops online. That year, I facilitated over 100 live online workshops and found myself burning out of "live online workshops."

I could see Educators burning out from working through those unprecedented times. I could see parents struggling to manage screen time and work from home. As a parent of two young children at the time, I could definitely relate. 

That's when I started collaborating with other ECE workshop facilitators to build a living library of self-paced online workshops and I started providing free learning opportunities to ECEs. 

An unexpected plot twist...

In 2021, our family experienced an unexpected trauma. 

I won't disclose all of the details here, but let's just say most of what I thought I knew as an early years professional went out the window.

I had to re-start at the basics and strengthen my knowledge of attachment theory, trauma-informed care and healing through play. 

It took several months and a painful recovery, but once we overcame the adversity, the healing began. I knew what I had to do to move forward with a deeper purpose.

Fast forward to now...

I am a TEDx speaker, keynote speaker and I have completed a Master of Professional Education in Early Childhood Education.

I have 19+ years of experience in child care. I have experience working with children and families using inclusive and trauma-informed approaches in various capacities.

I have 12+ years of experience working in adult education. I currently support practicum students at the college level.

I have 10+ years of experience presenting workshops and at conferences. I have presented over 500 workshops and worked with over 100 clients.

I have 6+ years of experience as a purpose-driven business owner. Through Early Years Thriving we've had over 40k enrolments and served over 15k educators. We have a newsletter community with over 10k subscribers and 10k followers across social media platforms.

Since 2022, I have consistently provided educators with Online Summits and Workshop Facilitator Training. 

Through Workshop Facilitator Training, I have supported several educators and organizations across Canada to grow their important work in community education. 

At heart, I am still the silly, social, easily distracted and funny little niña. She comes out on stage and helps me heal through this journey in education. 

If you made it this far, thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. 

Oh, did I forget to mention, I will be starting a PhD in September 2026!?

Yes, this little West Coast Latina in academia won't quit until harmful and unethical pedagogies/practices are eradicated from education. 

How to get in touch with me