Story

Olivia discovered her passion for early education while volunteering at a library summer reading club at 16. She later earned her Early Childhood Education degree and now teaches kindergarten in Fresno.

Her classroom is color-filled, movement-rich, and sound-filled — students chant letter sounds, rearrange magnetic word tiles, and read along with big books and picture cards.

Olivia believes reading is magical because it’s often the first time children realize they can learn independently. She still remembers the day a student read her first full sentence and immediately whispered, “Can I call my mom?”

She prioritizes partnerships with parents and regularly sends home simple reading games to reinforce learning.

Outside the classroom, Olivia bakes cupcakes, organizes kids’ story time at a local park, and trains student teachers. She joined Kina to share that early literacy is not just academic — it is emotional, empowering, and life-changing.