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Ana Homayoun

Author, Keynote Speaker, School Consultant

Professional Background

Ana Homayoun is a distinguished author, speaker, coach, and educator whose work profoundly impacts the way students navigate the complexities of today's tech-savvy, social media-driven society. Her primary focus is on equipping students with the critical skills of empathy and executive functioning, essential for academic success and personal well-being. With a wealth of expertise in educational consulting, she works closely with schools, universities, and corporations, providing insights and strategies that foster intrinsic motivation and authentic engagement among students.

In 2001, Ana founded Green Ivy Educational Consulting, LLC, where she has dedicated herself to consulting parents, educators, and students on practices that contribute to overall wellness in education. Her extensive experience in this realm positions her as a trusted authority in the field, and she frequently shares her insights with national audiences through various media platforms.

Education and Achievements

Ana Homayoun's educational foundation is impressive. She graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts, where she also held the position of Vice President of the National Duke Alumni Association. Her commitment to her alma mater continues as she currently serves on the Duke Gardens Advisory Board, promoting the university's horticultural initiatives and community outreach.

Ana further pursued her passion for education and counseling by obtaining a Master's in Counseling from the University of San Francisco, supplemented by her Pupil Personnel Services Credential, which allows her to work in schools addressing students' academic and emotional needs. Her academic achievements testify to her commitment to enhancing educational programs and student experiences.

Among her notable works are three impactful books. "The Myth of the Perfect Girl" (2012) and "That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week" (2010) tackle the pressures on students in modern education, while her more recent book, "Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World" (2017), addresses the challenges posed by digital distractions and social media on young minds. The insights provided in these books have resonated widely, earning her recognition in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Fast Company, and ABC News, among others. She is also a frequent guest on NPR, where she discusses educational trends and wellness.

In 2019, Ana founded the Luminaria Learning initiative with support from the Foundation for the Carolinas. This non-profit aims to improve social and economic mobility through the development of the Life Navigator Middle School Program. This innovative curriculum provides advisory support and coaching for middle school students, helping them to build essential executive functioning skills alongside socio-emotional wellness.

Community Involvement and Leadership

Ana's dedication to mental health initiatives is further showcased by her role as the Chair of the Board of CASSY Bay Area, a non-profit organization focused on delivering mental health services to public schools. Ana’s involvement extends to volunteering as a counselor at summer camps dedicated to children facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses, highlighting her compassionate approach to educational advocacy and support for young people in adversity.

Ana Homayoun exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated educator and advocate for young people's needs in an increasingly complex world. Her career is marked by a commitment to fostering environments where students can thrive emotionally and academically, thereby making substantial contributions to the field of education and mental health support.

Highlights

Feb 26 · linkedin

What if we are overlooking the skills that students actually need to build to be successful in the college application process, and to have a successful transition to college?

Now, I don’t mean “successful” in getting into prestigious universities, but rather being successful in finding schools and pathways which draw their genuine interest. And, to navigate the process in a way that develops their confidence.

In this video, I share one key tip to better support students during their college applications which will also help them transition to college.

Interested in learning how else we can support students? Check out my latest piece online in the National Association of Secondary School Principals blog for four more tips!

Read here: https://lnkd.in/gWKfHjmc

Oct 25 · linkedin

A few months ago, I emailed Anne Helen Petersen on a whim to share my new book, Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admission.

I have always admired Anne Helen’s work, read nearly all her pieces over the years, and loved her substack, Culture Study. I save all her past newsletters in a special folder marked Newsletters I like to read/ahp. You could safely say I am a fan.

Well, when she wrote me back to tell me she read the book, and wanted to do a Q&A in Culture Study, I just about fell out of my chair.

And then she sent over the questions. Incredible. She really understood the ethos of the book and of my greater work and perspective. She saw how ERASING THE FINISH LINE is different, and how my central message is nuanced, hopeful, practical and supportive.

I hope you get a chance to take a look at this Q and A which is quite literally a gift. 📚✨💜

#parenting #education #schools #teenagers #collegeadmissions

Abby Davisson Hachette Book Group Substack National PTA National Association of Independent Schools

Related Questions

How did Ana Homayoun develop her expertise in educating students about empathy and executive functioning skills?
What inspired Ana Homayoun to start the Luminaria Learning initiative and its focus on social and economic mobility?
In what ways has Ana Homayoun's work been recognized in major publications and media outlets?
How does Ana Homayoun integrate her background in counseling into her educational consulting practices?
What are the main themes explored in Ana Homayoun's books, and how do they relate to today's educational landscape?
How does Ana Homayoun envision the future of student wellness in an increasingly digital world?
Ana Homayoun
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Location

San Francisco Bay Area