About Us

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 Director of Refugee and Immigrant Family Center a chapter of Sound Child Care Solutions (SCCS) Luz Casio is the Mentor teacher and the co-facilitator of pedagogical leadership through communities of reflection and practice across SCCS centers; she has over sixteen years of experience serving as a Dual Language ECE Consultant with infant, toddler, preschool, Step-Ahead, ECEAP and Head Start classrooms. She has served as a faculty member with the Center for Linguistic and Cultural Democracy, a curriculum developer, program supervisor, center director, coach and a college instructor guiding the learning development and skill-base of her diverse classroom of students. As a bilingual, bicultural educator, Luz has championed critical pedagogy and equity in education at the local and state level. She holds a BA and MA Degree in Education with a focus on Dual Language ECE, Educational Leadership and Organizational Change from Goddard College. Luz is a Part time Faculty at Highline College teaching  the State Early Childhood Initial and Specialization Certificate series in Spanish.​

“If I can teach a classroom with ten children I can impact the lives of ten children. If I can teach a classroom with ten teachers I can impact the lives of 100 children”  - Luz Casio 

Hi! My name is Cristina Medina-Azpeitia, I was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico and moved to the United States when I was only two years old. My parents raised me in Federal Way, Washington and that's where I stayed up until college. I went to Washington State University and graduated May 2015 with a degree in Women Studies and a minor in Comparative Ethnic Studies. I was a teacher at SWEL for a couple of years before transitioning as the Family Support Specialist. I loved working with children, but I’m excited to begin working more with families. I’m looking forward to the support I can give families, to continue advocating for themselves and their children. As well as, providing resources and knowledge that can help them in their day to day lives. My passion has always been social justice and advocacy for equal access/opportunities to all communities. I have a really open, carefree personality and enjoy daily conversations with all people around me.  My personal interests include - movies, hikes, food, and being around my family as often as possible. 

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/RIFC 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 two wonderful children.  

My name is Zulaima Soberanis, but people know me as Zuli. I grew up in Campeche, which is located in southeast Mexico, on the west side of the Yucatan Peninsula and I moved to Seattle on 2002. I have two  beautiful boys Michael and Viktor. I enjoy spending time with my family, going bike riding, going camping, drawing, going to movies and visiting the library and doing arts and crafts. I have been working in the Child Development field for many years and I possess a Preschool Bilingual Child Development Associate Credential. I am working towards my AA in ECE and plan to further my education in Early Childhood Education. My favorite activities to do with the children are telling folk stories, playing outdoors, dancing and doing art projects. I believe the purpose of early education for children should provide opportunities to develop proficiency in all aspects of self learn to live with others, express their feelings and enjoy new experiences. I personally think that being able to teach children things they will use their whole lives is very rewarding. This year I'll have many roles, not only as mentor and culture specialist, but also as a floater - supporting the classrooms and teachers when needed.