The Artsy Wagon and our TEAM
Owner and CEO - Ana J Miro Herrans MAED/CI
The Artsy Wagon has been an idea many years in the making, which mixes all the owner's passions in one company.
Based in Los Angeles since 2012, Ana Miro is a Puerto Rican artist and educator. Growing up with a few developmental delays, her mother - an early childhood education specialist - introduced her to art, dance and theater classes from a young age. These activities helped her with concentration and re-directed her high energy into something productive and fun. She made it a goal to get professional training in visual arts, theater and dance. Ana attended a specialized Art High School and earned a BA in Theater Arts, with a minor in Special Education and Dance Education at the University of Puerto Rico, finishing her Masters Degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction in 2023. The arts became a way of life for her, shaping her into the balanced person she is today. She began teaching children when she was 14 - and has continued since. She has taught dance, art, tand heater to all ages. After college, she moved to LA, believing she could make the Arts her life career. Her dream always was to open an integrated art school for all ages and abilities. After years of working on community and family events, and art-on-the-go programs for the Zimmer Children's Museum, Ana decided to finally venture out on her own...and that's how The Artsy Wagon came to be.
Ana's approach to teaching is based on exploration and discovery. She creates a safe place so students can investigate new forms for expression and communication. No matter the medium or art form, Ana emphasizes the fundamentals and basic skills, providing creative communication outlets for their ideas and feelings. She encourages students to create art that speaks about them. Her teaching style focuses on the process of creating, not the product. Her intention is to strengthen each person’s capacity for expression. She directs students to experience and study a wide variety of mediums, integrating art into their everyday lives. The arts saved Ana’s life, shaping how she lives and teaches. Her purpose has always been to use art as both a way to express oneself and also as a tool to explore and learn about the world.
Our amazing TEAM of educators
Aida L Herrans M.A. - Educational consultant
Aida L. Herrans Barreras has over 30 years of experience in the area of special education and early childhood. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood and has 27 approved doctoral study credits in the area of Educational Management and Leadership. She also has a certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and advanced courses in Management and Supervision.
Aida has served as an educational advisor and consultant, has been a University Professor, and worked as a consultant at Franklin Covey, a world-renowned company in Leadership, as one of their educators. She has served as Director and Coordinator for several day care centers, including Rainforest Kids CDC, which under her direction, earned and maintained national NAEYC accreditations for 15 years. She has also served as a resource at various conferences/workshops providing training and as a consultant for various programs related to early childhood.
She is Co-Author of "Family Day Care: A Manual for Developing a University-Based Training Program for Family Day Care Providers" and "Manual of the Uniform Training Program for the Training of Day Care Providers for Infants, Maternal and Preschool with and without developmental deficiencies. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the Puerto Rican Association for the Education of Early Childhood (NAEYC) and the Association for the Development of Curriculum and Supervision (ASCD).
Teonna GArcia
Teonna was born and raised in Los Angeles. As a child she loved creating and doing arts & crafts with her mother. While attending Fairfax High School, she took every art elective her counselors would allow. She also participated in the Youth Education Department that was partnered with Cedars Sinai Hospital. During her time in the program, she realized that she loved working with children.
After graduating high school, she studied visual arts at The Art Institute in Santa Monica and worked for LA’s Best, an after school program for elementary students. She creates her own artwork using Resin, Watercolors and Digital Art. Teonna currently shares her love of art through her classes at Artsy Wagon, Zooga Yoga, and the Cayton Children's Museum.
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Alex floyd
Alex Floyd, born and raised in the mountains of Colorado, trained in dance from age 3 on at Terpsichore Dance Studio and summer intensives with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and Axis Dance. Alex attended the University of Wyoming to receive her BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in international studies.
After graduation, Alex moved to Los Angeles to start her own dance company, OdDancity at age 22. Since then, OdDancity has put up 8 full length shows and has morphed into the nations first company that focuses on immersive and psychological works. Alex also performs and teaches dance in various capacities. She created dance music videos for artists like Cusi Coyllur, and worked with film projects and musical artists as a choreographer.
Alex is on the board of the nonprofit Young Choreographers Project, as well as a mentor and teacher, in which she brings choreography and mentorship to underserved youth in LA. She has also been a professional nanny in Los Angeles for 9 years and has incredible experiences with children of all ages.
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Testimonials
The Home Kit has been a life saver during this quarantine, my 4yrs old had love the activities! So refreshing having new and original activities to do!
Yesenia
"Great teachers, we have really loved the kids classes during quarantine and the adults events as well. Very entertaining and fun. Fully recommend!!!
Yarivelisse
"Loved the energy! It's a great team building experience for both children and adults."
Nadia
I am a neat freak, I was really nervous about opening my home to a bunch of kids under 10 and the mess they would make. Ana was so respectful and considerate leaving our house cleaner than when she arrived. HIGHLY recommend!
I would encourage this experience for my kids again.
Christopher
"There was no pressure to be perfect...just to CREATE!"
Alissa
Joshua Alejo
Art has been a part of Joshua's life since the very beginning! He's dabbled in most forms and mediums, primarily painting and illustration. Joshua found his path in acting, bringing him to Los Angeles. Joshua has worked with children for several years and believes in the outlook of teaching with love first.
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