AMINA HASSAN
When did you begin working at DLEC? March 2023, Home Visitor since September 2021
Home Visiting Background:
Prior to working with Denise Louie, I spent a year as a home visitor. I worked with prenatal parents and kids 5 years of age. I have also worked as a babysitter for ten years. I enjoy supporting kids and families in realizing their full potential as a team.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I am passionate about working alongside children and their families to achieve their children’s early learning education. One of the reasons I enjoy my role as a home visitor is because it encourages children to step outside of their comfort zones and start developing independence at a young age.
When did you begin working at DLEC? October 2021
Home Visiting Background:
My background includes mentoring, tutoring, and supervising groups of different ages. I earned my degree in social work, studying various branches of social work and how social services work. DLEC is an example of the types of nonprofit organizations that were included in my studies.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I love that I am able to be a part of a great support system that empowers family and child relationships.
When did you begin working at DLEC? September 2014
Home Visiting Background:
I majored in Psychology that helps me understand people’s thoughts and behaviors. It is helpful for me to build up a good relationship with children, parents and families. I majored in Special Education which taught me more skills in supporting child learning.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I love my job because it is meaningful to me. I think children are important to families and societies. They are the hope and future to human beings. I am happy to help them grow into healthy and great people. In addition, I can learn more and more knowledge on child development and child education in my position.
BRENTNY LANAE GARNER
When did you begin working at DLEC? August 2023
Home Visiting Background:
Prior to working with Denise Louie, I spent a year as a lead ECEAP teacher. I worked with a family advocate as well as parent’s for children ages 3-5 years of age. I also worked as a lead Preschool teacher for 5 years. I love being able to be a part of a child’s early development as well as offering support and resources to families to support that child’s development.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I’m very passionate about working with and supporting children and their families to reach developmental goals for their education. The main reason I enjoy my role as a Home Visitor is due to me being raised in a single parent household. A single parent household with my father to be exact. Who is a refugee with only an 8th grade education. I want to be the support that my father and I needed during my Early Childhood Educational Development.
When did you begin working at DLEC? December 2023
Home Visiting Background:
I have been in the childcare and early education field since 2015. I started as a home daycare provider and then transitioned to teaching at childcare centers. Several years of working in this field has taught me the importance of parent/family participation and engagement. I look forward to partnering with them to enhance their knowledge and skills and to watch their children grow.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I am passionate about caring for children and being a part of the ‘village’ that raises a child. The parent/caregiver and child bond is empowering and beautiful to see.
When did you begin working at DLEC? December 2023
Home Visiting Background:
Although I have no prior home visiting experience, I am learning and growing every day. I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology from Gonzaga University, and I have worked with kids as little as few months all the way up to high schoolers.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I love that I can watch families grow and succeed with the help that we are providing for them. I am very passionate about service and helping others as well as working with children and DLEC allows me to do just that!
KHATIRA SULTANI
When did you begin working at DLEC? January 2024
Home Visiting Background:
I came to the United States of America thirty years ago. I started my first job at the YWCA as a teacher’s assistant. I realized I enjoyed working with children and decided to pursue this career. The first thing I did was to receive my certificate in early childhood education. After that, I received my AA and BA in early childhood education. Meanwhile, I have worked in different fields of early childhood education, such as Head Start teacher, assistant teacher, Multilingual Paraprofessional, and more.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
One of my biggest goals was to support bilingual and at-risk families to overcome the achievement gap. During the times that I worked with children, I worked very closely with parents as well. Since I connected with diverse communities and worked successfully with families in the past to support children’s achievement goals, I decided to take on a role that brings me much closer to the families and the children.
MARIA PRETZ
When did you begin working at DLEC? December 2022
Home Visiting Background:
NIKEA HOLMAN
When did you begin working at DLEC? August 2024
Home Visiting Background:
MEET OUR HOME VISITOR MENTOR COACHES
HOME VISITING MENTORS
MARLEY BERFT
When did you begin working at DLEC? December 2022
Home Visiting Background:
Before joining the DLEC team, I completed my BA in Psychology from the University of Montana. Since then, I moved back to Seattle and became a toddler teacher. I’m excited for the new opportunity to be outside of the classroom.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I have always had a passion for helping others. I enjoy helping children learn and grow.
EARLY HEAD START SUPPORT TEAM
SANDRA MAY
When did you begin working at DLEC? September 2023
Home Visiting Background:
After earning my Bachelors degree in Psychology in 2018, I started to work as a Certified Behavioral Technician working primarily with children between the ages of two to six-years old. I had the pleasure to work with a diverse population where I assisted my client with day-to-day activities, aided in establish
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I enjoy being part of the journey that families undergo as they grow and build the confidence they need in order to support their little ones. I hope to have an impact on the lives of the families and the lives of the children.
JULIE LU, EDUCATION COORDINATOR
When did you begin working at DLEC? July 2023
Home Visiting Background:
My name is Julie and I have my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Families Studies with a minor in Diversity from University of Washington. Before joining the DLEC team, I was a Preschool Teacher for 7 years.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I am excited to learn more about home-based early education and supporting families.
CELESTINA ADU, HEALTH COORDINATOR
When did you begin working at DLEC? May 2023
Home Visiting Background:
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development focusing on Early childhood Education. In college, I worked as a preschool teaching assistant for two years. After graduating, I worked as a Certified Behavior Technician and a preschool teacher for 2 years. Specializing in working with families and children with developmental disabilities.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I am passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of families in need. Providing support, guidance and the right resources to help families and children have the ability to develop their full potentials and be successful.
MAGDA CISNEROS FARIAS, PROGRAM ASSISTANT
When did you begin working at DLEC? June 2023
Home Visiting Background:
I started my career in the early childhood setting back in 2019. I have worked with children of all ages and needs. Since then, I’ve worked in group home settings and non-profit organizations.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I enjoy helping others and being their cheerleader. I knew that by joining DLEC, I would be part of an organization that would allow me to do that – help others.
SHELBY SHELTON, COACH
Home Visiting Background:
With over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, I have passionately dedicated my career to nurturing the growth and development of children and empowering their families and caregivers. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Child Advocacy, I have embraced various roles that have allowed me to make a meaningful impact. As a lead toddler and preschool teacher, I created dynamic and engaging learning environments where young children could explore, discover, and thrive. My work in afterschool programs has extended my reach to older children, supporting their growth and learning from ages 5 to 17. In addition to teaching, I’ve had the privilege of coaching early childhood educators, helping them refine their skills and strategies to better support the children they work with everyday.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
What drives me most is the opportunity to empower educators, caregivers, and families by providing the guidance and resources they need to support the children in their care. I am deeply committed to nurturing children’s potential and advocating for their needs, ensuring they grow into confident, capable individuals ready to embrace the world!
MEET OUR HOME VISITOR SUPERVISORS
EARLY HEAD START
KRISTEENE SMITH
When did you begin working with DLEC? December 2023
Early Childhood Background:
I am descendent of the Chickasaw nation of Oklahoma, and I am Afro-Indigenous. My last job was a Program manager for a Native American-based home visiting program that I worked at for 16 years. I am currently pursuing my masters in early childhood education. I have 4 children, one daughter who is a graduate of an Ivy League and three sons who reside with me.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
Birth to three is one of the most critical times in child development. Early learning provides the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health. My goal is to impact the home visitors as much as possible, so they see how their role influences families and improves outcomes. In my spare time I am a board member of community engagement at my church, and we practice strengthening our community and serving food and supplies to the homeless. I also enjoy gardening and nature walks.
MEET OUR TEAM CONSULTANTS
KAREN SNOWDEN, MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT
When did you begin working at DLEC? September 2021
Home Visiting Background:
I began my role as a consultant for Denise Louie in 2021 as part of my ongoing work as an Infant and Early Childhood therapist at Navos. Prior to working clinically with children and families, I have spent time as a preschool teacher, an adoptions worker with DCYF, and a youth advocate at a domestic violence shelter. I have a Master’s degree in social work and a background in psychology and child development.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I love being able to meet families where they are and to help strengthen the relationship between parents and children. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to witness the strengths and resiliency of so many families in the community, and I am passionate about providing early intervention and supportive services for families.
NICOLE DEFRANK, NURSE CONSULTANT
When did you begin working with DLEC? August 2016
Early Childhood Background:
I began working as a Child Care Health Consultant in 2005. I aim to support Teachers and Home Visitors in helping children develop healthy habits.
Passion, what do you love about your work?
I am passionate about physical activity, breastfeeding, and handwashing. My favorite part of working with DLEC is visiting families after the birth of a baby.
