Nick and Mike are emotional dudes. We cry. We are tender. We are joyful. We get hangry. Despite wearing our emotions on our sleeve, it still takes some intentionality on our part. Intentionality with our actions, words and activities in order to support  young children’s ability to identify emotions, to increase their vocab, to think beyond emotional stereotypes, and ultimately to be confident in expressing themselves.

Nick Terrones (he/him) is a former educator at Hilltop Children's Center and Educator Institute where he has worked with toddlers for the last 10+ years implementing Anti-Bias Curriculum. He now serves as the director of Daybreak Star Preschool at United Indians of All Tribes in Seattle, WA. He’s a Los Angeles raised Mexican-Native-American with a passion for equity, plants, the ukulele, and raising awareness to the need of a gender-balanced workforce in ECE.

Mike Browne (he/him) is the Senior Community Engagement Manager for Hilltop Children's Center and Educator Institute. He’s a New York raised, Afro-Caribbean, former collegiate athlete, working towards dismantling White Supremacy and forms of oppression in our society.

Hilltop Children's Center and Educator Institute is a reggio-inspired preschool, afterschool program, and equity-focused professional development institute in Seattle, WA, on the traditional lands of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People.