Teacher Ana, mulberry and Oak classes

Ana Chaidez was born and raised in Tongvaland in the North East Los Angeles area. Teacher Ana was inspired to become an educator during years of participating in movements to create change in the realms of environmental and food justice, human rights, and community engagement. A tireless advocate for children, Ana is known by the families who have worked with her for her careful attunement with children and her uncanny knack for understanding things from their point of view. She has been involved in education for 20 years, working in preschool environments, K- 6th grade, and has taught art classes and provided critical social-emotional support for homeschool communities across the LA area. Ana first came to Cottage in 2008, returning after a brief hiatus in 2022.

Teacher Ana has a strong theoretical background, citing Constructivism, Reggio Emilia, RIE, and Forest School -inspired philosophies as major inspirations.  She views Cottage’s child-led, free play, guided and supported by caring, observant adults as ideal for nourishing children’s innate curiosity.

Ana is also a mixed- media artist and has shown her work throughout Los Angeles. She has collaborated with other artists and writers and has provided the cover art to four books of poetry as well as provided illustrations for chapbooks. In her free time, Ana enjoys surfing, skateboarding, films, listening to and making music. Whether it’s in the forest, the desert or the beach, she appreciates being in nature and learning about plants and wildlife.