Valencia Connected

What does it mean to truly observe a child—with presence, curiosity, and care? What starts as an explanation of the Montessori practice, observation, turns into a deeper dive into the universal concept of presence and, as Maria Montessori believed, "love is not an emotion but a way of being present". Montessori educator and coach Kate Kolea shares how observation becomes an act of love, how mindfulness supports parenting, partnerships and teaching, and why even grown-ups need to go outside and look for spider webs...

AnnaLisa is a fitness coach and all-around champion of women. She shares how just a few mindful minutes of movement can make a huge difference, especially when time is tight or routines are upside down. Her message is inspiring, practical, and so needed right now. Want to know the secret? Have more fun! 

Kate takes us through her journey in becoming a dancer, choreographer, expat in Valencia and all things Montessori. We also talk quite a lot about the body — not just how it moves, but how it feels, listens, and transforms. Kate invites us into the quiet practice of silence in dance — where removing the music and mirrors (quiets the mind) becomes a radical act of turning inward. In that quiet, her students begin to notice the sound of their own breath, the rhythm of their feet, and the stories their bodies are telling when they’re no longer performing for an image in the mirror.

Joseph Peha shares his family’s journey from Seattle to Spain as a descendant of Jews expelled in 1492. It’s a deeply personal story of return — and a powerful reflection on what it means to come home. Driven also by a desire for more connection, slower rhythms, and deeper presence. We talk about parenting, community, cultural shifts, and what it means to truly arrive where you belong. 

Meet Alexis Oliver Turla - Taking the Leap in Valencia: In this conversation, Alexis shares her journey of navigating personal challenges, including loss and relocation, while exploring her identity as a Black American in a new cultural landscape. She discusses the emotional complexities of moving to Europe, the importance of community, and making the choice for joy and for oneself. Through her experiences, she emphasizes the significance of visibility and connection in inspiring others to take risks and embrace change.

In this conversation, educator and advocate Shona O’Callaghan, founder of Empowering Creative Minds, shares her personal and professional journey with dyslexia, multilingualism, and inclusion. Diagnosed as an adult, Shona reflects on what it means to grow up feeling different—and how that experience inspired her life’s work: supporting neurodivergent children and the educators who teach them. With warmth and clarity, she unpacks common myths, the importance of screening before diagnosis, and the essential role of teachers in creating inclusive classrooms.

How do kids really learn multiple languages—and what’s just a myth? In this episode, speech pathologist Vanessa Nagy shares practical advice and deep insight for language development; including, families navigating a new language acquisition or raising multilingual children in Valencia and beyond.To reach her:  https://speechlanguagevlc.com/home/Additional resources: www.bilinguistics.combilingualism, language acquisition, multilingualism, child development, cognitive advantages, language learning strategies, speech therapy, parenting, education, language milestones, Valencia, Spain