Staff

The SED Center has a dedicated team of over 50 professionals, teachers, support staff, and volunteers.  Click below to view the following teams:

Administrative Staff

Martha C. Egas 
Executive Director

Mrs. Egas has been with the SED Center since 1979 and has served as Executive Director since 1995. She has worked with SED as a Preschool Head Teacher, Educational Specialist, Bilingual Vocational Training Program Director, Preschool Director, Head Start Director, and Before and After School Programs Director. Under her leadership, SED obtained the NAEYC Accreditation making the SED Center the first DC Department of Human Services Preschool Program and the first bilingual early childhood program to obtain the accreditation in the District of Columbia.  

Mrs. Egas has extensive experience managing and supervising government contracts with the U.S. Department of Education, the DC Department of Human Services, the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), USDA, and Head Start, as well as managing grants from private foundations in the area. 
Michelle Brooks
Office Manager 

Ms. Brooks has been with the SED Center since 2004 and has served as Office Manager since 2024. She worked for 14 years as an Administrative Assistant in the Children’s Program before her current position. Ms. Brooks has also worked in managerial positions in several Child Development Centers in Maryland. Ms. Brooks has experience conducting the child intake process under the DC Department of Human Services, the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), USDA, and Early Head Start.
Gladys Tamayo
Accountant

Ms. Tamayo has worked with the SED Center since 2002 serving as accountant for the organization. She received her CPA at the University of Medellin and an Associates in Administration & Finance at the Essumer University in Medellin, Colombia. Ms. Tamayo holds vast experience working with various international companies; experience that has helped her excel in the current role she holds at the SED Center.
Estefania Sotomayor
Administrative Assistant Jr.
​
Ms. Sotomayor's journey in childcare began at the age of 20, showcasing her early dedication to nurturing and educating young minds. Hailing from Bolivia, her passion for teaching led her to embark on a career as an educator in her native country. Starting as a teacher, she laid the foundational blocks of her commitment to fostering learning and development in children.

Transitioning to a role as a teacher assistant at the SED Center marked a significant step forward in her professional journey. In this capacity, Ms. Sotomayor had the opportunity to support and enrich the educational experiences of children, honing her skills and deepening her understanding of effective childcare practices.
​
Now, assuming the position of Administrative Assistant junior in the Children’s Program, Ms. Sotomayor brings her wealth of experience and dedication to a new level of responsibility. In her administrative role, she will contribute to the smooth operation of the program, ensuring that children receive the care, support, and resources they need to thrive. Her journey from teacher to administrative assistant underscores her unwavering commitment to the well-being and development of children, reflecting a career path driven by passion, dedication, and a profound sense of purpose.
Jose Gonzalez 
Adult Program Director 
​
​Jose Gonzalez is a bilingual educator with years of experience teaching English as a second language, English as a foreign language, TOEFL preparation, and GED in both English and Spanish. During his time at the SED Jose has designed and implemented educational programs that have helped hundreds of adult learners reach their academic goals. In addition, Jose has provided training to hundreds of teachers through the Department of Education and local grants in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. He has presented several times at International TESOL, AAACE, and local TESOL conferences. Today, Jose is focused on providing the best possible adult education programs for the hundreds of adult immigrants who come through the doors of the SED Center seeking the ability to speak and understand English, learning new technologies in SED’s computer program, taking the first step to college obtaining their GED or becoming a voice in the community by receiving their Citizenship.
​Doris Ruano 
Volunteer Program Director

Mrs. Ruano has been with the SED Center since 1992 and has served as Volunteer Program Director since 1995. The Volunteer Program provides the SED Center with valuable people who contribute to the development and enhancement of the Center’s community programs working in conjunction with The National Association for Hispanic Elderly (ANPPM) and The National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. (NCBA) to provide SED with a permanent group of volunteers who contribute over 200 hours of community service each week. 

Volunteers are trained by SED to serve as teacher-aides in the Preschool, Infant, and Adult Education Programs. As a result of their participation, low income immigrant students receive a greater and more personalized exposure to the English language. Furthermore, volunteers contribute to the consolidation of the Center’s role as a community based organization where individuals from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds have the opportunity to meet and learn from one another. More than 185 volunteers contribute at least 10,000 hours per year to the various programs.
Nicolas Castro
Head of Communications

Nicolas, a Film graduate from Towson University, discovered his passion for digital media at a young age. With over a decade of experience collaborating with prominent U.S. companies, he has engaged in diverse projects within the industry. Mr. Castro's deepest enthusiasm lies in storytelling and documenting the narratives of both students and the community, a tradition upheld at the SED Center since its inception in 1971. His tenure since 2014 serves as a testament to his dedication to this mission.

Children's Program

​Martha C. Egas, Children's Program Director

Michelle Brooks, Office Manager

Raul Hernández, Parent Liaison



​

​Preschool Teaching Staff:
  • Elsa Guerra
  • Ivonne Gamarra
  • Eloísa Dubon
  • Rocío Cortez
  • Amel Abdelgadir
  • Wendy Mestichelli
  • Jessica Fuentes
  • Yaisa Sotomayor
  • Grisel Ventura
  • Lucia Basterra
  • Gledys Hernandez
  • ​Raynier Hernandez


Infant/Toddler Teaching Staff:
  • Cecilia Garcia
  • Verónica Aguilar
  • Juana Leon
  • Carmen Ramos
  • Alexandra Puente
  • Maciel Feliz Segura
  • Jacqueline Garcia
  • Raquel Ortiz
  • Milagro Posada
  • Lucia Pineda
  • Rosemary Mumbi
  • Hilary Acajabon Martinez​
  • Gloribel Reyes
  • Mirsa Martínez
  • Nelly Ventura
  • Leticia Ramírez
  • Eleticia Gutierrez
  • Elsa Martinez


Kitchen Staff:
  • Francisca Oregón
  • Agueda Segura


Floater Staff:

  • Frihiwot Mulugeta

Adult Program

Picture


​Jose Gonzalez, Adult Program Director

Lanita Russell, Adult Program Coordinator

Jeanette Villalobos, Administrative Assistant





Teaching Staff:
  • Zuliana Espinoza - ESL
  • Peter Lane - ESL
  • Tahoma Lewis – ESL
  • Reyna Meza - GED
  • Renee Mims – ESL/Computer
  • Veronica Salas - Literacy
  • Tanisha Taylor – Citizenship English
  • Gabriel Villatoro – Citizenship Spanish
  • Yvette Wunderlich – ESL