Steph Ayala Salinas, Community Cultivation Manager
Connect with Steph to discuss strategies for advancing accessibility and equity, or swap tips on needlework, Cricut project, or how to embrace your creative side!
Steph Ayala Salinas, M.S., is an early childhood education leader who specializes in translating hands-on experience into systemic solutions. Having spent years in the classroom as both a toddler and preschool teacher, Steph gained deep understanding of educator challenges and expertise in developmentally appropriate practices, along with experience in curriculum design, family engagement, and inclusive education.
This critical background fuels her ability to tackle systemic barriers and build programs that genuinely work. Leveraging project management and leadership expertise, Steph has demonstrated a commitment to accessibility and equity through her advocacy work ensuring resources reach all educators and empowering the practices of multilingual families and Home-Based Child Care providers.
She is a systems-thinker, collaborative leader, and passionate advocate for early childhood education.
Driven by a desire to create meaningful change, Steph focuses on driving purposeful solutions, building collaborative teams, and creating lasting impact in early childhood education systems. Steph is a Chicago city girl, Mexican immigrant, professional book-lover, and devoted daily reader (audiobooks are a lifesaver!). When I'm not turning pages, I'm navigating life with my wonderful husband and our hilarious two-almost-three-year-old. My downtime is spent embracing my creative side: I love to crochet, do needlework, Cricut and Legos!