About
Azspire
Azspire, LLC, with Jacky Howell and consultants, take information, coupled with inspiration and work with you to build a high quality, strong community of educators. We establish learning communities, provide coaching and mentoring, workshop sessions, and much more through our on-site work and virtual work with early childhood programs.
At Azspire, LLC, we believe that learning is lifelong, that we all have gifts to give and new ideas to explore and understand. We believe in creating learning communities. With over 40 years of experience in the ECE field, Jacky Howell collects resources, writes articles, conducts webinars, and has a book, Rituals, and Traditions: Building a Sense of Community in Preschool, published by NAEYC.
Jacky Howell currently works hands-on in early childhood classrooms and programs, presents on current topics, creates book study groups, and much more! Her colleague, Graciela Semidey, brings her expertise in early childhood education in both Spanish and English. We believe in opportunities to learn together in interactive, engaging ways!
Azspire, LLC provides coaching, mentoring, interactive/information workshops, ongoing learning communities, book studies, keynote addresses, and much more! We work with administrators, classroom educators, families, and we can work with your staff virtually! We believe in creating a “culture of inquiry,” as fostered by the work of Margie Carter and Ann Pelo. We respect adults in bringing their knowledge and experiences as the basis of their learning process.
With over 48 years of experience, including teaching children, being administrators, writing, presenting, webinars, and courses, we have so much to offer!
Expertise
Jacky Howell, Early Childhood Education Consultant and owner of Azspire, LLC, has over 45 years of experience working with young children, families, and programs providing quality early care and education in many different roles, including early childhood teacher, administrator, trainer, coach, and technical assistant. She has over 35 years of experience as a course instructor and presenter on early childhood development and curriculum topics. Jacky has worked extensively as a technical assistant and mentor to early childhood teachers in the District of Columbia for the past eleven years. In addition, Jacky has been a speaker and a keynoter at local, national, and international conferences, including NAEYC’s Annual Conference and Professional Development Conference, PACT, MCPPNS, MAESA, and AEYC’s throughout the country as well as overseas. Jacky has published in several early childhood journals and wrote a column for NAEYC’s journal, Teaching Young Children. NAEYC recently published the book she co-authored, Rituals and Traditions: Fostering a Sense of Community in Preschool. Jacky currently works with various ECE programs in the DC-Metro area as a consultant, coach, and workshop facilitator. Her current passions include teaching on kindness and empathy, building classroom community, social justice, and women in sports, plus much more!
Graciela Semidey, Consultant for Azpire, LLC, is a bilingual (Spanish-English) education professional working in the field of education for over 30 years. Born in Valencia, Venezuela, Graciela relocated to the United States of America with her husband and two children. Graciela attended Jean Piaget University College in Caracas to obtain her degree in Psychological Pedagogy, focusing on Learning Disabilities. Graciela has worked with a variety of age groups from preschool to high school. She is currently an Adjunct Faculty Member at Montgomery College in their Workforce Development Program, where she works with childcare providers and ECE teachers and students. Graciela works as a bilingual Early Childhood Development Consultant in the DC Metro Area. Recently, Graciela previously worked as an Education Coordinator and Early Head Start Program in a bilingual school. Graciela and Jacky have worked together over the last ten years, both consulting and presenting workshops. Graciela brings her years of expertise to Azspire, LLC, along with the ability to consult and deliver sessions in Spanish.
Erin Bluth, BSN, RN is a Registered Nurse from Battle Creek, MI. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Biological Sciences from Western Michigan University. During her undergraduate studies, she developed an interest in the principles of infection control, health promotion, and disease prevention. Erin started her nursing career in adult cardiology but shifted to school health in 2014 and has been working with children and families ever since. She has experience working in early childhood and K-12 classrooms, developing and implementing health programs, and leading professional development and training sessions for educators. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she provided education and resources to child care staff and families, translated public health guidance, and assisted with the development and implementation of pandemic-specific policies and procedures for child care. Erin finds joy in collaborating with families, caregivers, and individuals to ensure children are safe, healthy, and ready to learn at all stages of development.
Azspire llc has other consultants that offer workshops based on their area of expertise. These include sessions in equity, mindfulness, heartful environments, play and much more! We can meet your professional development needs!
