Our History: A Timeline
October 14 2017 ELP Learning Stories Conference
SALSA founding members with Dr. Margaret Carr and Wendy Lee at the 2017 ELP Learning Stories conference, Auckland, New Zealand. Conference closing keynote, “Humanizing Assessment in the USA: Learning Stories, Relationship-Driven Work in a Data-Driven World” presented by Annette Muse, Leslie Voss, and Dr. Annie White.
October 17 SALSA Origin
First USA Learning Stories Intensive study in New Zealand. Dr. Annie White organized 9 participants from California to study in New Zealand with Wendy Lee and the Educational Leadership Project (ELP) team. The LS Intensive Study participants included Regan Bynder, Dr. Chris Carducci, Isauro Escamilla, Annette Muse, Lorena Ramos, Dr. Lygia Stebbing, Joyce Stone, Leslie Voss, and Dr. Annie White. Study participants attended the 2017 Learning Stories conference and visited NZ early childhood centers.
During the New Zealand LS Intensive study, the group strategized next steps and how to support advancing Learning Stories in California and beyond to the USA. Collaboratively, the group decided to host two Learning Stories conferences in CA, with plans to launch an annual Learning Stories conference in the USA. The name “SALSA” Supporting the Advancement of Learning Stories in America was suggested by 2017 LS Intensive study participant, Joyce Stone. The group unanimously loved the name and the birth of SALSA followed.
October 18 What’s in a Name?
The SALSA Board of Directors would like to offer some background information on how we came by our name SALSA, which is an acronym for Supporting the Advancement of Learning Stories in America. The genesis of the name and the organization came during the 2017 Learning Stories Intensive Study and ELP Learning Stories Conference, when the founding members of SALSA were sitting around a big table in a lovely home on Lake Rotoiti in New Zealand. We were nearing the end of our amazing time there and discussing ways to keep up the momentum we had gained during the study and keep alive our growing love and respect for Learning Stories. We decided we needed to form an organization to promote Learning Stories in the United States and of course it would need a name. One of us suggested SALSA: Supporting the Advancement of Learning Stories in America and everyone supported the idea. Because we all came from California, we wanted to honor the state’s Latinx heritage and the deep respect we have for the culture of our community. We hope that the name will prompt discussions about us and our work. We also wanted to honor the fact that Learning Stories traveled across the great Pacific Ocean from Aotearoa New Zealand to the California shores and beyond, hence the graphic depiction of the ocean on our logo. We hope you will join us in supporting the Advancement of Learning Stories, wherever you are!
February 20 SALSA’s 1st Steps
From February 2018 to August 2018, SALSA came together to begin planning and implementing next steps. This included Regan Bynder, Dr. Chris Carducci, Isauro M. Escamilla, Jeannette Mulhern, Annette Muse, Lorena Ramos, Lindsey Shafer, Dr. Lygia Stebbing, Joyce Stone, Leslie Voss, and Dr. Annie White. SALSA began participating in efforts to advance Learning Stories through a think tank with a Learning Stories e-portfolio developer, resource development, and dissemination through presentations and publications.
May 5 Northern California Learning Stories Conference
In 2018, SALSA co-hosted two separate conferences in late April/early May, held in southern California at Ventura County Office of Education and also under the incredible leadership of Dr. Lygia Stebbing, in northern California at San Francisco State University. The southern California conference was co hosted with SALSA and Ventura County Office of Education, California State University Channel Islands, Child Development Resources, Child Development Incorporated, University California Santa Barbara Early Care and Education, and Santa Barbara County Office of Education. The northern California LS Conference was co hosted with SALSA and San Francisco State University, EDvance program, City of San Francisco, and the Family Childcare Network. Wendy Lee was the opening keynote speaker for both conferences. In addition, two ELP facilitators provided workshops , an New Zealand early educator provided the afternoon presentation, and a closing panel of practitioners.
October 16 SALSA Mission and Vision Created
In 2018- SALSA created mission and vision statement:
Mission Statement- SALSA advocates for the Learning Stories approach that enhances intentional teaching, reflective practices, and advances equity and diversity by acknowledging early childhood educators, families, and children as both learners and teachers.
Vision Statement- SALSA represents children’s learning with integrity and respect, recognizing their individual value and competencies. We advance Learning Stories in the United States as an authentic narrative approach to bring joy into teachers’ work of documentation, observation, and assessment.
April 28 Southern California Learning Stories Conference
In 2018, SALSA co-hosted two separate conferences in late April/early May, held in southern California at Ventura County Office of Education and also northern California at San Francisco State University. The southern California conference was co hosted with SALSA and Ventura County Office of Education, California State University Channel Islands, Child Development Resources, Child Development Incorporated, University California Santa Barbara Early Care and Education, and Santa Barbara County Office of Education. The northern California LS Conference was co hosted with SALSA and San Francisco State University, EDvance program, City of San Francisco, and the Family Childcare Network. Wendy Lee was the opening keynote speaker for both conferences. In addition, two ELP facilitators provided workshops, a New Zealand early educator provided an afternoon presentation, and closing panel of local educators who shared their Learning Stories practice.
September 4 Learning Stories Facilitator Inquiry Group Formed
Sept 2018- formed online Learning Stories (LS) Facilitator Inquiry Group. LS Facilitators meeting monthly online in community of practice. LS Inquiry groups at Consumnes River College Child Development Center, Las Americas Early Education School with San Francisco Unified School District, Mills College Children’s School, Santa Barbara County Office of Education and KidZCommunity in Nevada and Placer County. In fall 2019, LS Inquiry expanded with new groups, adding California State University Channel Islands and Ventura County Office of Education, Center in Berkeley, and also an online LS Inquiry Group. The online group expanded beyond California to also include participants from Michigan, Hawaii, Texas, Utah, Minnesota, and as far as Malaysia.
November 1 SALSA Board Of Directors Formed
On November 1st, 2018, the Board of Directors formed and officers elected.
Board of Driectors- Regan Bynder, Dr. Christine Carducci, Isauro M. Escamilla, Jeannette Mulhern, Annette Muse, Lorena Ramos, Lindsey Shafer, Joyce Stone, Dr. Annie White.
Officers-Dr. Annie White, President; Isauro M. Escamilla, Vice President; Dr. Christine Carducci, Secretary; Lindsey Shafer, Treasurer.
May 4 1st National Learning Stories Conference
May 2019- SALSA co-hosted the first National LS Conference held in Orange County, CA. SALSA co-hosted National LS conference with Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children, Orange County Department of Education, and California State University Channel Islands. Wendy Lee was keynote speaker and an ELP facilitator provided a workshop.
October 11 2nd USA Learning Stories Intensive Study
Oct 2019- 2nd USA LS Intensive Study- Dr. Annie White organized 10 participants from California, Texas, Michigan, Hawaii and Malaysia to study in New Zealand with Wendy Lee and the ELP team. Study participants attended the 2019 Learning Stories in Practice book launch, Learning Stories Conference, where many of the participants provided workshops, visited Mana Tamariki school in Palmerston North, visited NZ early childhood centers, and met with Dr. Margaret Carr for tea and conversation.
2nd USA Learning Stories Intensive Study participants pictured here with Wendy Lee:
Isauro M. Escamilla, Anna Maria Izaguirre, Nathan Johnston, Julia Koumbassa, Janina Martin, Jeannette Mulhern, Karina Ramos, Eddie Tanimoto, Dr. Annie White, and Larrisa Wilkinson.
August 16 SALSA Becomes A Non-Profit
In 2019, SALSA granted non-profit status.
October 12 SALSA Advisory Group Formed
The advisory group is formed by the participants of the 2nd Learning Stories Intensive Study group.
January 20 SALSA Logo Is Designed
February 18 SALSA Website Launched!
The website launched!
October 3 SALSA Hosts 2nd National Learning Stories Conference Virtually
SALSA’s second national learning stories event, a virtual conference, featured dozens of speakers and a keynote by Wendy Lee. The theme of the conference, equity and diversity, was supported with a number of breakout session on recognizing culture and sharing perspectives.
Thank you to all who joined us in discovering how learning stories, an authentic assessment tool, can shift our perspectives of our work as educators, how to document learning in a way that connects to families, and celebrates the value of storytelling.
January 1 SALSA Membership Platform Launches
April 19 3rd National Learning Stories Conference Hosted By Hilltop April-June, 2021
July 1 Learning Stories And Teacher Inquiry Groups: Reimagining Teaching And Assessment In Early Childhood Education
October 2 Learning Stories Conference
October 1 5th National Learning Stories Conference
March-April US Learning Stories Intensive Study in NZ - Scholarship Offered
In 2023, SALSA introduced a scholarship for the USA Learning Stories Intensive Study program in New Zealand.
The recipient of this scholarship was Rafael Perez-Segura, a Mexican-American bicultural and bilingual educator.
October 7 6th National Learning Stories Conference
In 2023, the SALSA introduced scholarships for the National Learning Stories Conference, making it more inclusive and accessible. This allowed learners from all backgrounds to attend and participate in discussions, presentations, and networking. Scholarships broke financial barriers, supporting educators and storytellers while amplifying diverse voices.
