Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Colwell.
Ana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where my path in education began at the age of seventeen. Early in my career, I worked closely with rural communities facing significant social and economic challenges. Many of the children I served came from deeply unstable family environments and experienced profound deprivation at home, including limited access to emotional support, resources, and opportunities. In these communities, education was the primary pathway to hope and the most powerful tool for transforming future possibilities.
Working in these settings shaped my understanding of the true role of education. I witnessed how a loving, intentional learning environment could restore dignity, confidence, and purpose to children who had been exposed to hardship far beyond their years. Those experiences taught me that education must extend beyond academics. It must offer safety, respect, and a belief in each child’s inherent worth.
As my career progressed, I worked in a wide range of educational institutions. While each experience contributed to my professional growth, I became increasingly aware of a troubling absence in many early childhood settings. Too often, learning spaces emphasized control over connection and compliance over curiosity. Respect for children as capable individuals was frequently missing, and fear based practices replaced trust and emotional security. This reality conflicted deeply with everything I had learned through my early work with vulnerable communities.
As both an educator and a mother, this concern became personal. I struggled to find a school environment for my own children that offered strong academic foundations while also nurturing social emotional development and essential twenty first century skills. I searched for a place that balanced high expectations with compassion, and structure with empathy.
In 2022, shortly before founding La Creare Schools, my journey took a profound turn when I learned that my son had a rare condition called aniridia. This diagnosis reinforced what I already knew to be true. Children need to be seen fully and supported intentionally. Some needs are visible and others are not, but all require patience, understanding, and individualized care.
La Creare Schools was created as a direct response to these experiences, both professional and personal. It was built on the belief that education should be rooted in respect, purpose, and love. When children feel safe, valued, and challenged in meaningful ways, education becomes a powerful force for lifelong growth and possibility.
During that process of adjusting to my son diagnosis and seeing there was also a lack of communities for supporting mothers in my area, I founded a strong mom network, named MomsConnect South Florida. Founded in 2021, MomsConnect has grown to over 2,500 members and offers more than 35 experiences each year, redefining the way we support mothers in an accessible and inclusive way. Through our network, mothers overcome emotional challenges, gain confidence, and launch or grow their own businesses while building strong connections with other women.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building an educational model rooted in respect, care, and purpose has required persistence and difficult choices, especially in systems where these values are not always prioritized.
Balancing leadership with motherhood, particularly after my son’s diagnosis of aniridia, brought additional challenges that demanded resilience and adaptability. Limited resources and moments of uncertainty tested the vision, but they also strengthened it.
We’ve been impressed with La Creare Schools, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My work centers on early childhood education, school leadership, and the intentional design of learning environments that support the whole child.
I am known for building child centered schools, where children are seen as capable individuals and families are welcomed as true partners.
Nature is an essential part of learning. Our garden and outdoor spaces are intentionally integrated into the curriculum, allowing children to connect with the natural world, develop responsibility, and learn through hands on experiences.
What I am most proud of is the strong sense of community we have built. Parents are always welcomed and actively involved through a wide range of school events that foster connection and belonging. The school feels safe, warm, and collaborative, not only for children and families but also for educators. Our teachers are supported, valued, and proud to be part of a shared mission. Within a year of expansion, our program is already 80% full. LCS graduates are consistently accepted into top private schools through selective admissions, distinguished by their motivation and enthusiasm for learning.
What truly sets us apart is the belief that strong teachers and thoughtful leadership build strong schools. By investing in people, purpose, and relationships, we create an environment where children, families, and educators thrive together.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Based on extensive research and industry experience, we recognize the importance of integrating language acquisition, holistic education, and twenty-first-century skills. Our mission is to ensure that every child becomes a self-motivated participant in their education journey.
When children, educators, and families thrive together, the impact extends far beyond the classroom, shaping future leaders who are compassionate, capable, and confident.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lacreareschools.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacreareschools/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/La-Creare-Schools/100094091913909/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-creare-schools
Image Credits
Alicia Ziade Photography
