Meet Our Team

Ms. Sofia has over 15 years of experience in education, with expertise in early childhood education, elementary education, multicultural and multilingual learning, special education, behavior guidance, and family engagement. She is also a Washington State STARS Trainer, committed to supporting the professional growth of early learning educators. She holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the University of Washington. Her education and experience allow her to provide high-quality, research-based learning experiences that support children’s academic, social-emotional, and developmental growth.

 

Ms. Sofia is passionate about serving the community by creating an inclusive learning environment where every child feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. She believes that all children can thrive when their unique abilities, cultures, and languages are celebrated and supported.

 

As a mother of three young children, Ms. Sofia understands the joys and challenges of parenting firsthand. She believes that strong partnerships between families and educators are essential to children’s success. She is dedicated to supporting not only children’s development but also the well-being of parents by fostering a welcoming, caring, and collaborative community where families feel heard, supported, and connected. Her vision is to inspire a lifelong love of learning while helping every child build the confidence, skills, and compassion needed to thrive in school and beyond.

Tony Thede brings more than 20 years of excellent leadership, compliance, and operational management experience to our daycare center. He holds a Masters of Arts in International Relations from Webster University, and has spent his career overseeing high-accountability enviornments where safety, quality assurance, and attention to detail are essential.

 

Throughout his career, Tony has served in leadership and analytical roles with the United States Army, federal contractors, and protective security organizations. He has managed large teams, led quality assurance initiatives, conducted audits, and developed operational procedures in order to maintain exceptional compliance standards.

 

At the center, Tony helps to oversee licensing compliance, operational safety, policy implementation, and quality assurance practices created by the DCYF. His dedication to maintaining high standards provides families with reassurance and confidence that our center operates with professionalism, accountability, and a strong commitment to the well-being of every child in our care.