Ashley has worked with hundreds of children and families from a variety of backgrounds in the past 16 years. Her previous experiences include serving as a Family Support Specialist in San Francisco Unified School District; a Case Manager and Program Coordinator at Hunters Point Family; a Children's Ministry Director at Glad Tidings Church in San Francisco; and an Afterschool Teacher and Tutor at Alice Fong Yu Elementary.

At the heart of Ashley’s approach is a belief in the power of purposeful play — a dynamic, joyful way to spark multidimensional growth. When children flourish, so do the families, schools, and communities around them. She is a San Francisco native with Garifuna roots in Trujillo, Honduras. She is an optimist; a nature lover; a proud Alumna of Howard University and Brown University; and an enthusiastic educator at Meadows Livingstone School in San Francisco, CA.

Ashley helps children and teens become happier, more resilient, and faster learners by transforming how they relate to their emotions. Through emotional growth and resilience-building practices, young people develop the 5 Cs—creativity, communication, comfort zone expansion, physical coordination, and collaboration—which are essential skills for thriving in an overstimulating world.

Central to Ashley’s work is her integration of drawing and physical movement as powerful tools to promote sensorimotor integration. By engaging children in expressive art activities, she facilitates the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory awareness, all of which are crucial for comprehensive child and youth development. These creative modalities provide a safe space for children to explore and process their feelings, while also strengthening the connections between body and mind.

Using her signature S.H.I.N.E. framework, Ashley designs engaging, supportive environments where kids build adaptability through challenge, improve focus, and gain mastery over their emotional and cognitive lives. She intentionally guides children to gently expand their comfort zones, encouraging them to try new activities and overcome fears. This process not only helps “grow their brains” by fostering neural flexibility and adaptability but also boosts their confidence and curiosity about learning.