Meet the Author!
Ashley is professional educator, author, and Master Certified Professional Life-Coach with an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in counseling with a focus on marriage and family.
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She has worked with children, teens, young adults, professionals, and families in various capacities for over 30 years. Her specialties include assisting those impacted by ADHD, reading challenges, and strengthening executive functioning skills to enrich the lives of others. As a mom of three adult children as well as a former classroom teacher, Ashley brings a wealth of lived experience, skilled instruction, and passion to develop and strengthen each person’s abilities to reach their personal goals.
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As a published author and owner of Dynamic Learning Press, Ashley believes that possessing strong reading and comprehension skills are a gateway to having more advantageous opportunities, confidence, and independence in life. To accomplish this, children must have access to literature and skilled instruction, so Ashley launched Dynamic Learning Compassion to boost literacy and provide books to underserved populations of children. Dynamic Learning Press uses literature as a vehicle for encouraging conversations about challenging topics that many kids (and adults) will face throughout their lifetime. Most of the category of books conclude with a page discussing how to help an individual become an overcomer related to the topic at hand.​
Ashley’s desire is to help the youngest to the oldest find their value and worth, so they are competent and capable of spreading their unique gifts and talents to enhance the world.
​In her free time, you will find Ashley traveling, reading, outside at a café, or with her family.
Sincerely,
Ashley Mangione
Why? Lizzy In a Tizzy
I have worked alongside children and families for the last thirty years and have experienced the confusion, judgment, and heartache that can occur when there is a weakness in focus issues.
Many of these precious humans are impacted by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder whether diagnosed officially or not. The negative messages that are internalized as a child due to focus deficiencies can be carried throughout life and often affect confidence and self-esteem.
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​ADHD and focus challenges are rooted in neurobiology and have no relation to a person’s intelligence, although people are frequently made to feel that way. Often, even well-intentioned teachers and parents do not grasp the struggles of how focus concerns influence those affected. ​
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No person should ever feel shame for the way their brain is wired. I want to do everything in my power to reduce any stigmas associated with any type of neurodiversity.
My mission is to raise knowledge, compassion, and awareness in all areas, from the classroom to the bedroom and anywhere in between, to help explain how neurodiversity, ADHD, and focus weaknesses can affect a life daily. The great news is one can grow and thrive by strengthening executive functioning skills and self-awareness combined with medical guidance when needed.
It is my daily passion to help others find their value and worth since we are all created with individual gifts and talents. The world needs each one of us!
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My wish, through the literature that I write, is that my voice will be a vehicle to begin conversations with those who cannot always find the words to start it by themselves.
Warmest Regards,
Ashley
Why? The Boat
The story of “The Boat” is one that I have told my children over and over since they were very little. I needed my kids to understand how valuable they were (and are) and how important it is to guard their “boat” when choosing their friends. I also wanted them to know that they have a responsibility to help others when they see a “boat” in need or climb into someone else’s “boat”.
I desired that they understand that there will be times when life is challenging, and we may not have the energy to paddle our own “boats” and that is normal. It is during these seasons that it is crucial to make sure that you only allow people into your “boat” that are supportive and have your best interests at heart. My kids needed to know that they must be a cheerleader to encourage others as they pass “boats” that are in need.
Finally, I also made my children aware of the fact that unfortunately there would be those out there that would get in our “boats” at times that do not share the same values and goals that we have and therefore have no place in our “boats”. If we allow such people to stay and sit, then they may steer us in the wrong direction and our “boats” will quickly sink.
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The “boat” is a picture that is easy to imagine for a child and is a simple way to make sense of friendship and life goals. I have worked alongside children, teens, and families for the last thirty years and find that we often tell our young people to make “better” friends or be a “good” friend, but we often do not go into detail about the characteristics that make a wonderful friendship. We are obligated to discuss our responsibility in being a loving friend as well.
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My prayer is that this book will start a conversation and thought process about the blessings of genuine friendship no matter how old we are. I hope we will be filled with more kindness and courage as we guard and defend our “boats” and share in the encouragement of others as we help paddle their “boats” through life. May we also pause with gratitude and thank those that have journeyed lovingly along on our waters.
Warmest Regards,
Ashley
Why? The Voice In My Head
Most of us have negative voices that silently creep into our thoughts from external sources as well as from ourselves. If we allow this negative feedback to take up continued residence in our heads, our confidence and self-image can be significantly impacted. A negative voice can instill self-doubt and anxiety that may cause us to question our abilities and self-worth. Compounded with the fear of failure and limiting beliefs, we may stay stagnant and helpless rather than pursuing new opportunities that can lead to greater growth and success. The challenge to stay motivated in the mix of negative voices inhibits our ability to seek and complete our goals and dreams.
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We deserve more!
To combat the discouraging thoughts that seep into our minds, we must speak boldly against them! We can do this through positive self-talk and affirmations. Choosing to surround ourselves with those that support us and are cheering us on is a helpful encouragement. We should remember that failure is a part of life, and we can recover and learn through mistakes while also reminding ourselves of what our past successes were and our capabilities. As we practice implementing a positive voice in our head, we build strength and resilience to increase our optimal performance as we move along our life’s journey. We have the privilege and responsibility to use our voice to inspire others to fulfill their unique purpose as well!
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The next time a damaging thought pops into your head, I hope you will recite...
I’m going to listen to that voice...the voice in my head…
And tell it to make and think positive thoughts instead.
To use the gift of voice to speak loudly with my choice…
To be true to thyself and say kind words to myself.
Warmest Regards,
Ashley
Why? Eddie's New Skills
Based on my thirty years of experience working with young people, I am convinced that two of the greatest proficiencies we all need to be successful in life is having strong reading comprehension and executive functioning skills. Possessing these skills is a gateway to having more advantageous opportunities, confidence, and independence in life.
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Many people are unfamiliar with the impact and benefit strong Executive Functioning skills can have to improve our academics, relationships, and emotional health. My desire through this book is to introduce or reinforce these skills to those who could use additional support and insight to enhance their current and future self in all aspects of life.
Warmest Regards,
Ashley