About Us

---

Hello my name is Karina Rojas Rodriguez - I was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico and immigrated here in the early 90's.Being here in the early 90's and growing up in a very diverse community helped my passion for working with a diverse community like Delridge! After receiving a scholarship through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-Achievers Scholars, I was able to follow my dreams of becoming a culturally relevant teacher and attend Washington State University; there I received my undergrad in Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Spanish. In 2011, I received my Master of Arts from Goddard College in Early Childhood Education, with an emphasis in Adult Child Interactions. I have been in the ECE field for 16 years and would not change it, this is where my passion lives and I hope to continue this until I find my next itch in life. I have experience working with a wide range of regulations, guidelines and City/State contracts like Head Start, ECEAP and the Seattle Preschool Program. During my career I have been a classroom teacher, a mentor teacher/program supervisor, coach, STARS Merit approved trainer and center director. During my "free time", I am an instructor for Highline College working with adults earning their AAS or BA in ECE.  As an Educator, I love to surround myself with like-minded individuals who like to chat about the pedagogy of the children; I believe children are truly their very own protagonist in their learning and we need to honor that! When I am not teaching or working with children, I am a full time mother to my very own bi cultural and bilingual young ones, Maximiliano Donatello, Esme Paloma and Javier Leonardo Roberto. I have been married to my other half for 10 years, also an educator. I do not know where I find time to do things, but I do; I make sure that I spend enough time with my children/husband/family, do plenty of self-care like yoga, baking, walking, traveling, and lots of pinteresting!  

 My summoned name is Javier Israel Casio-Gomez, however to everyone else at Southwest Early Learning Bilingual Preschool, I am simply known as Teacher Javie. I was born in the city of Durango, which is also the name of the state of Mexico I was so humbly given birth to, some odd years ago. I’ve been part of the SWEL team for many, many years and enjoyed every moment of it before transitioning to Assistant Director. Although, I haven’t always been part of such an amazing organization, I did however, serve and form part of an equally life changing AmeriCorps organization called City Year. 

As a City Year member, I spent two years serving middle school students hands-on, supporting them both inside and outside of the classroom. I played a fundamental role in helping them reach their educational goals and potential. Once I completed my 22-month commitment with City Year, and served more than 3,400 hours, I figured it was time to get a “real job”, as I worked some odd jobs for about a year, then I was granted the opportunity to work in a childcare center. I was there for about a year when I was given the opportunity to come SWEL. My life goal has always been around trying to help people or work in human services (social work) however; through my time in early childhood education I changed that slightly.  I got my AA at Seattle Central Community College, preceded to pursue my Bachelor of Arts in Community Organizing and Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education at Goddard College. I have committed my life to changing the course of history, by fostering and developing young idealist everyday during my tenure here at SWEL & RIFC.  My commitment to the children has been to provide and foster an experience like no other before they have to go into the real world. I strive to document the children’s milestones and the essence of their play every day. On a personal note, I have two loving parents, whom also gave birth to two more children of the Casio-Gomez clan. I am married and have three wonderful children. 

 Hello my name is Areli Enriquez Perez, I was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to the state of Washington when I was five years old with my parents and younger brother. I was raised in Western Washington, and currently reside in Federal Way, Washington where I attended middle and high school. I graduated from Washington State University in December 2015, with my BA in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. Throughout my undergrad career I worked at the university's Children's Center as a teacher's assistant for two and a half years and have always loved working with children and learning how they learn and communicate among themselves and those older than them.  My whole life I have had very positive role models and was always taught to be patient with children and learn from them. Traits that have become useful in my past couple years working and learning among children. I hope to make positive connections with the parents and children where I may impact them either big or small as they continue to grow and learn and play! In my free time I love to spend my time with my family, go on walks around my neighborhood, go to the movies and go dancing. I love attending concerts, going to cultural events and exploring around West  Seattle. I enjoying planning all the events we have at our school!

 I am very happy to be able to say hello to everyone within the challenges we are experiencing, my name is Karla Yadira Gomez Leon, I am originally from  Durango, Durango, Mexico, where I had the opportunity to attend the Pedagogic University of Durango getting my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, and made great friends and colleagues. Although I grew up in the city I had the opportunity to be connected with nature in a very special way that my grandparents gave me the great opportunity to experience it by visiting their house, breathing fresh air between trees brings back to my mind the memories of my childhood, I experienced everything with my feet and hands. It is fascinating to realize the important role that educators have in the lives of children during this age in providing the tools for them to enjoy these experiences to the fullest.
My home language is Spanish, and I practice it all day, at home with my family, my children Issac (12), Joshua (6) and my husband Martin, they are a very important part of my life, we really enjoy camping and getting to know different places with wonderful landscapes, on the other hand my parents are Gilberto and Guadalupe, they have forged in me the values of hard work and family unity. My brothers are my companions in life Sergio, Alan, Gilberto.
Some years ago, I was detected with type 1 diabetes, this is a daily challenge in my day to day, I like to share this part with my students eventually. I noticed since a deep empathy of acceptance is forged, that we all are same but different.
This is the story of me, teacher Karla.    

 It is my pleasure to introduce myself and welcome you to our community. My name is Diana Aguilar Godoy, I am 29 years old, and I am originally from Buenavista Tomatlan, Michoacan, Mexico. My parents are Beronica and Jose, and I am the third of five siblings: Mayra, Yuriana, Jose, Yovany. Only one of my sisters lives in California, the rest are in Mexico, but with all of them I maintain a very close relationship and excellent communication. Another important person in my life is my husband Rene, with whom I share five years of marriage, the same years that I have lived here in the state of Washington. These years have been a challenge in the development of my person, due to the new city, people, jobs and language, since my mother language is Spanish and it is a great effort to study to acquire a second language. I had the opportunity to get my BA certificate in my native country, but in the same way I am in constant professional development here in the city of Seattle, it is never too late to continue learning. Personally, I really appreciate nature and getting to know different places, I also value my culture and traditions, which I would like to share with you and also get to know each of your cultures. I acquired my love for teaching from my father, who was one of my childhood teachers, and I thank him and my mother for the opportunity they gave me to follow in his footsteps to get to where I am now as a teacher. I am convinced that this will be a good year to share and participate in the activities of our SWEL community.  

My name is Maria D Espinosa Garcia, I am originally from Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico, a state located in the south of Mexico and bordering the country of Guatemala. I have three wonderful children, ages 7, 13, and 21. I am also the grandmother of a 3-year-old grandson. I consider myself a friendly, fun, kind, responsible, and honest person. I studied a degree in Pedagogy in my country. I have always worked with children as a preschool and youth teacher For two years I have worked in a preschool setting where I have served as a teacher and at the same time continued studying classes in early childhood education. My vision in life is to be a better person every day, to continue learning and preparing to put it into practice, learn from others, be empathetic, have more resilience, help others and my community. Thank you to SWEL for giving me the opportunity to be part of its team; I bring with me a lot of initiative, enthusiasm, responsibility, respect and integrity, for which I will collaborate with all my potential. I am very excited to be a part of the Creekside community and form a connection with each and every one of you. 

 Hi! My name is Claudia Villa Garcia, I was born and raised in Washington state. I graduated from Washington State University (Go Cougs) December 2016, with my BA degree in Human Development and a certificate in Early Childhood Education. I have been teaching at SWEL since January 2017 and have had the opportunity to work with many teachers throughout the years I have worked here and have learned from each one.  

My passion is working with students and finding unique and fun ways for them to inquire and learn from. I hope to inspire within each of my students a joy for education and to seek to ask questions. I enjoy seeing the growth in the children as the weeks and months pass by, I particularly love seeing how students create their own world in their play, use their imagination in art, and their creativity in using materials in unconventional ways. I find that each year I learn many new strategies and ideas from my students that I can continue using in the classroom as we learn from one another. This year, I will be supporting the students and teachers as the Mentor teacher and Art specialist teacher in addition to my role as the teacher of Salmon Creek. 

As for in my personal life a little about me, my first language is Spanish and being the youngest of my siblings I learned English early on and quickly so I could keep up with them. I have two dogs named Luna (doodle) and Rio (pit bull). Last fall my husband and I welcomed our first baby, his name is Aarón and he loves to chat, read books, and play. As a family we love to spend time together, going on walks with our dogs, as well as watching movies, cooking, and going out to eat.   

 Hello my name is Rosalinda Santos and I am from Aguascalientes, Mexico. I have been a part of the SWEL community for four years now and I love working with kids. I am married and have one son so far who I love very much. I am currently attending Highline College to receive my AAS. In my free time I like to spend time with my family, go dancing and explore Washington.I am excited for what this new school year has to bring!   

 I was born on November 26 in Houston, Texas. My parents are Mexican, I grew up in Mexico, in the state of Querétaro since childhood.
I studied at La Salle school. I graduated with a Law Degree, focused on family law. I am currently studying pedagogy, Early Childhood Education since I consider teaching to be fundamental in a society that seeks the constant improvement of its members in a world that does not allow itself to change. This is my second year here at SWEL!
I like the culture and traditions of my country, I love art and knowing and soaking up new experiences and knowledge. I consider myself a gentle and empathetic person. 

 Hello, My name is Bryan Aguila Perez I am from El Salvador my first language is Spanish I have been living in Seattle Washington for 5 years. I graduated from Rainier Valley Leadership Academy. I am studying at North Seattle College, getting my bachelor's degree in early childhood education and applied sciences. I am also part of a college program called My Brother Teacher that is in charge of supporting youth and diversifying the early learning workforce in Seattle. I enjoy working with children since I get to be the instrument of inspiration and knowledge for each one of them.  

  My name is Nancy Garcia, I am from Mexico DF, have been living here in Seattle for some time now. I live with my three children and husband, two of my children have graduated from college and my daughter just started running start. I have been working here at SWEL since 2015 and have a passion for learning and engaging with the children. You will find me supporting out in all the classrooms and helping in the kitchen at times. I enjoy traveling, being at home and cooking.   

 Hello, my name is Nalleli Garcia, I was born in Mexico City and came to Seattle in 2008. I am a mother of two boys and a girl. I studied a short course as a manicurist since 2017 but I have been working with children since 2022. Right now, I am here at SWEL, I have been here since January of this year. I support all the teachers and classroom and spend two days in Salmon Creek. I like to help all the children at SWEL and learn from them. I am currently studying early childhood education courses at Highline College.  

 My name is Amina Abdi and I have been part of the SWEL community for over 10 years now. I am a mother to one son and his wife and him have blessed me with 6 grandkids. Five of those who have now attended SWEL themselves. I love working with kids of different cultures and sharing my own Somali culture with everyone as well. When you see me make sure to say hello!