CEHD News Stories

A New Chapter Begins: Lizbeth Ericka Caceda, MEd ’10, Inspires Young Readers Through Storytelling

June 9, 2026

By Kiersten Caputy

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For Lizbeth Ericka Caceda, MEd ’10, the publication of her first children’s book is more than a professional milestone. It is the realization of a creative dream years in the making.

Caceda is the author of I Am Not a Ballerina, a picture book published in 2024 by Mascot Kids. The story introduces six-year-old Lila and her sidekick, Asparagus “Gus” the pitbull, and encourages young readers to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination.

Although she had extensive experience as a professional writer through behavioral health technical reports, research publications, and consulting work, creative writing offered something entirely new. As a thought leader in behavioral health, she was accustomed to translating complex research and systems-level insights into impactful professional content. However, stepping into children’s literature opened a different creative space. “Moving from a technical writing process to creative writing was a new and fun undertaking,” she said.

For Caceda, the book is deeply personal. It blends her love of storytelling with memories of growing up in Queens, New York, which is one of the most diverse communities in the world. “Through this publication milestone, I have been able to integrate my love of writing and storytelling, with my personal experiences as a trained dancer growing up in Queens,” she said.

Her larger goal is to use literacy as a bridge between children and their caregivers. “My goal is to promote the power of literacy to drive connections and curiosity in children through conversations with their caregivers about the stories and the characters in the book,” Caceda said.

She says one of the most rewarding parts of becoming an author has been hearing how readers connect with the characters and their challenges. “I am always so excited to hear from readers how they resonate with the characters’ problems, ideas, and solutions to overcome challenges within the story,” she said. “They see their real-life experiences through a colorful lens in this book.”

Before becoming an author, Caceda spent several years working as a research consultant for early childhood television and media. That experience had a lasting influence on how she approaches storytelling today. “I was very fortunate to work alongside script writers and producers for preschool television,” she said. “I think most folks do not realize how much research, review, and refinement take place, sometimes over the course of years, during the development phase of a children’s show before it actually airs on a national network.”

One of her favorite responsibilities was conducting focus groups with young children. “My favorite task was to conduct focus groups with five and six-year-old children and hear from them what they thought was funny; what was confusing; and which parts just didn’t work,” Caceda said. Those lessons became part of her own writing process, helping shape stories that are engaging, emotionally resonant, and visually compelling.

She also credits illustrator Crina Magalio for helping bring the world of Lila and Gus to life. “It is a very collaborative process, and our outputs involved a lot of back and forth, testing, and laughing our way through initial drafts,” Caceda said.

At the heart of I Am Not a Ballerina are messages Caceda hopes children carry with them. “Follow your dreams. Some dreams take work and time, but they are worth the chase,” she said. “When you are pursuing a dream, friends will always show up to help you along the way. And our confidence comes from remembering that we are capable because we have done new and hard things before that have now been mastered.”

Caceda says her time at George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) was foundational to her professional journey. “My time in the College of Education and Human Development’s MEd program within the community agency track was foundational to my work in early childhood and as an author,” she said.

She noted that every course emphasized counseling skills through a social justice and multicultural lens, helping her build a career that moved confidently across media, education, and behavioral health. “Much of my work has focused on supporting Spanish-speaking bicultural and bilingual families, ensuring that the media they engage with reflects their lived experiences,” Caceda said.

As a bicultural Latina woman, she says representation in media remains especially meaningful. “It has been especially meaningful to witness the growing representation of characters from diverse countries, ethnicities, and communities in the media, particularly across Latin America,” she said. “The CEHD program helped me recognize, honor, and uplift those nuances in my research and creative work.”

She also credits CEHD faculty members, especially Associate Professor Regine M. Talleyrand Abrams, for helping shape her experience. “I always found her classes to be thought-provoking and enriching,” Caceda said. “Dr. Talleyrand uplifted my experience as a nontraditional student. I was married and raising two young boys while pursuing my master’s degree.”

For fellow CEHD alumni and students exploring creative paths, Caceda encourages them to think broadly about how their skills can be used. “I encourage alumni and students to integrate their skills to create a path that offers a sense of fulfillment and impact,” she said. “Mix, blend, and be innovative in all the ways that our educational foundation can help your craft.”

Looking ahead, she is already excited for what comes next. “Be on the lookout for the next book in the series,” Caceda said. “Our main character moves to a new town, and we explore the mixed emotions of saying goodbye with the excitement of a new beginning.”

For Caceda, storytelling is not simply about entertainment. It is about helping children see themselves, believe in their potential, and feel empowered to dream boldly. I am Not a Ballerina is available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and through Caceda’s author website at www.lizbethericka.com.