A smiling man with dark curly hair, a beard, and a white t-shirt, sitting at a wooden table in a restaurant or cafe with a city street view through the window behind him.

Rafa has taught Spanish immersion lower elementary school in district, network charter, independent charter, and independent schools since 2012. Rafa currently is the Education Director of Mi Casita Preschool in Brooklyn, NY - a Spanish immersion Reggio Inspired pre-school. He mentors and co-creates tools and practices with educators within and beyond Mi Casita through his pedagogical companionship.

Firmly grounded in the Reggio Emilia Approach, anti-oppressive, and relational practices, Rafa enjoys supporting communities in deepening their practices based on shared values of connection, sustainability, and embracing emergence. Rafa identifies as queer, Mexican, and American - he offers a unique comparative perspective on Education and how learnings can be adapted and reimagined to reflect our unique contexts.