Collaborating With Ana
As a Latina in Academia with 19+ years of experience in the field of child care. Ana brings a wealth of knowledge, research, experience and expertise to all her presentations.
Ana is a dynamic speaker. She has a track record of not only bridging higher education with on-the-floor practice but also bridging learning and laughter.
Even when covering critical and sensitive topics, Ana's diverse personal and professional background makes education digestible and memorable.
Collaborations may include:
- A 30-minute 'pre-game' call to ensure the event goes smoothly.
- A proposal with service details.
- A handout, worksheet or checklist, depending on the topic.
- Promotional materials.
- An email and social media shoutout.
- Certificates for participants and certificate verification.
Please note: Ana's work is generative, living and responsive to context, audience demographics, feedback and the rapidly changing times. For this reason, you might notice that workshop and keynote titles and descriptions change over time.
>>>Regardless of the topic or title, the golden thread is getting to the heart of what children, families and educators need to thrive in community 
Keynote Options
(Keynotes can be modified slightly to weave in different conference themes)
Keynote Option 1: The Power of Play in an Uncertain World
Description: In this timely, insightful and forward-thinking keynote, Ana expands her TEDx, emphasizing the power of play in an uncertain world. Research consistently shows that play is essential to healthy child development and that the brain develops rapidly in the first 5 years of life. But, play is so much more, it's how children make meaning of their world and how we can best prepare them for an unknown future. The world our children will inherit is filled with uncertainty. Protecting play is not just about protecting fun, it is about supporting emotional resilience, problem-solving, and creativity in future generations. Imagine if instead of passing on pressure, we pass on play. Children will get to grow up without shame for doing exactly what they should be doing as young children, and that is play. This keynote provides participants (parents, educators, teachers, and a broader audience) with the validation and empowerment to honour the critical need for more play in early childhood.
Keynote Option 2: Rooted in Care and Belonging
Description: In this thought-provoking keynote, Ana shares the story of her master's work at Blossoming Niños childcare program. What began as an inquiry into care evolved into thinking deeply about belonging and how we belong in community. Thinking about belonging circled back to thinking about the reciprocity of care between the people, places, materials, land and more-than-human worlds, such as the insects and worms who are part of the wonderful Blossoming Niños community. Reciprocity of care between self, others, and the world became a focal point in Ana’s master's work. Through collaboration and reflection with children, educators, and parents, the inquiry project led to thinking deeply about affirming the rights of all (big or little, human and non-human) to exist and about resisting harmful and unethical pedagogies in early childhood spaces. Thinking alongside parents led to questioning what is considered academic and non-academic in early years programs, which led to thinking of Blossoming Niños as an alternative to the current dominant discourse in North America. This keynote bridges theory, research and on-the-floor practices with stories of everyday moments, making learning meaningful and memorable. This keynote also provides educators with hope, inspiration, and the courage to ground their work in care and belonging to strengthen community.
Keynote Participant Testimonial
"To be honest, I had zero expectations... I was exhausted and burnt out. It turned out to be an amazing stand-up comedy-style experience for ECE teachers! I've attended many workshops and conferences before, but Ana's was truly one of the best. It felt like we were the children and she was the entertainer at circle time. It is very rare to find an experience where you can laugh, giggle, and learn all at the same time. " - Fort Saint John CCRR Conference
Keynote Option 3: Thriving in Community: Holding onto Hope
Description: In this heartfelt keynote, Ana shares her personal story of resilience and hope. As a child who grew up with adversity and became a practitioner working with children and families using trauma-informed care, Ana knows firsthand how integral strong community is to the survival of many children and youth. Ana shares what it means to be trauma-informed while resisting deficit narratives and uplifting those who need it the most. Trauma is real, and so is resilience; for this reason, Ana focuses on taking a strength-based community approach to protecting children and families. Adversity can break a child, but community can help build the character necessary for that child to thrive. This is why Ana emphasizes the importance of caring for caregivers as a community responsibility (not an individual one) because the work done in community is life-changing and the ones doing the direct work often don't get the care they deserve. Audiences will leave this keynote feeling inspired, empowered and validated in the community work that they do with children, youth and families. Audiences will also walk away from this keynote understanding the importance of investing in the development of collaborative community programs.
Client Testimonial
“We recently had the pleasure of having Ana present at our annual company in-service, and she absolutely exceeded our expectations! 200 Early Childhood Educators were fully engaged from start to finish as Ana shared her inspiring message about the importance of play. Her ability to blend humor, deep knowledge, and real-world experience made the session both enjoyable and impactful. Ana is funny, educated, and incredibly relatable — the kind of speaker who truly connects with her audience. We’re already looking forward to inviting her back for more workshops and professional development sessions!" - Creative Kids Learning Centres
Workshop Topics for Educators, Teachers and Caregivers
Under each topic, you will find a drop-down menu with workshop titles. The workshops and descriptions are continuously being updated and are subject to change based on Ana's scholarly work, professional experiences and participant/client feedback.
Sessions can be customized into webinars, longer sessions or a community of practice.
Workshop Title: Nurturing Emotional Wellness in ECEs
Workshop Title: A Collaborative Approach to Strengthening ECE Teams
Workshop Title: Clear Communication in ECE Teams
Workshop Title: Showing Up As Your Best ECE Self and Not Taking Things Personally
Workshop Title: Creating a Positive Outlook in ECE Teams - Resisting Toxic Positivity
Workshop Title: Rooting in Purpose, Practice and Play (Hands-on Experience)
Workshop Title: Playful Pathways: Nurturing Growth, Relationships, Play Partnering and Pro-Social Learning
Workshop Title: Reconceptualizing the Meaning of Play
Workshop Title: Play Partnering Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Workshop Title: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Honouring Play in ECE
Workshop Title: Loose Parts for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers
Workshop Title: Inspiring Indoor Gross Motor Play
Workshop Title: Play Over Pressure- An Alternative to the Academic and Non-academic Discourse in ECE
Workshop Title: Resisting Themes and Embracing the Unknown
Workshop Title: Understanding "Pedagogy" and What Makes Documentation Pedagogical
Workshop Title: Holding onto Human Creativity, Co-Creating Curriculum and Pedagogical Documentation
Workshop Title: Enhancing Observation and Pedagogical Documentation Skills
Workshop Title: Aesthetics and the Environment as the Third Teacher
Workshop Title: Cultivating Exploration and Self-Expression Through Artistic Expression (Hands-on Experience)
Workshop Title: Critical Conversations with Educators - Beyond Passive Inclusion
Workshop Title: Re-thinking "Challenging Behaviours" and Strengthening Relationship-Based Guidance Strategies
Workshop Title: A Pedagogical Commitment - Resisting Harmful and Unethical Educational Pedagogies
Workshop Title: Growing Minds and Hearts - Letting Children Feel, Think, and Problem Solve
Workshop Title: Exploring the Ethical Use of Screens and Technology in Early Childhood
Workshop Title: Navigating Holidays with Critical Thinking (Best delivered in the Fall/Autumn)
The BC Early Learning Framework (multiple options)
Workshop Title: Making Small Moments Matter - Highlighting Care and Belonging
Workshop Title: Creating Spaces of Belonging With a Community Approach
Workshop Title: Rethinking "Nature Connections" - Growing Gardens, Empathy and Community
Workshop Title: Strengthening Trust, Connections and Communication with Families
Workshop Title: Working with Culturally Diverse and Newcomer Families in ECE
Workshop Title: Educational Leadership - Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Workshop Title: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Workshop Title: Raising Leadership - Setting the Stage for Success with Practicum Students
Workshop Title: Professional Conduct as an Educator - Navigating Social Media, AI and the Digital World
6 Session Program: Workshop Facilitator Leadership Training
Ana's parenting workshops are underpinned by a deep level of understanding. Her workshops are non-judgmental and encourage attachment and connection. Ana provides strategies on supporting child development through play and supporting emotional awareness through co-regulation. These workshops are meant for parents with children in the early years age group (0-6). Reach out to get a description for any of the workshop titles below.
- Not Permissive Parenting and Finding the Right Balance
- Navigating Big Emotions with Young Children
- Helping Children Learn Through Play
- Easing the Gradual Entry Transition into Group Child Care
- Preparing Children and Parents for the Kindergarten Transition
