Sean ​brings a unique synthesis of child advocacy, environmental stewardship, and therapeutic practice to early childhood education. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, he attended bilingual schools while growing up and is a native Spanish and English speaker.  Shaped by the island’s rich ecosystems, his career spans child welfare, crisis intervention, and nature-based learning, with a growing focus on researching the intersection of forest therapy and play-based development.    

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Professional Experience

Sean’s multifaceted career reflects his commitment to nurturing children and communities through both systemic support and environmental connection. After serving as a Child Abuse & Neglect Investigative Specialist for the Arizona Department of Child Safety, he expanded his crisis intervention expertise as a Crisis Specialist in Flagstaff, providing immediate support to families, children, and other community members experiencing acute distress. This role deepened his understanding of trauma-informed care, which he channels into educational advocacy.  He co-founded GalaMundi with Elsa and Jessenia over twenty years ago while volunteering as a marine conservation liaison in the Galapagos Islands. His early work as a Teacher Assistant with GalaMundi and creating environmental projects for educating children on marine conservation as the Director of Operations for a international conservation group in the Galapagos Islands, ignited his passion for integrating nature into childhood development—a thread that runs through his subsequent environmental education campaigns across the Galapagos and his current research pursuits.

His professional journey uniquely bridges human and ecological well-being. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the Arizona Supreme Court, Sean supported children in foster care and defended children in juvenile court, while his parallel work in environmental education emphasized the therapeutic power of nature. This dual focus culminated in his certification as an Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), where he now facilitates healing through nature immersion.

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Educational Philosophy

Sean’s approach centers on the belief that nature is both a classroom and a co-teacher. Currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a research focus on nature-based play therapy, he seeks to bridge clinical social work practices with ecological mindfulness. Drawing from his postgraduate certificate in clinical psychology and ANFT certification, he is looking to research frameworks that use outdoor environments to address emotional, cognitive, and social development. His academic work aims to formalize methods where unstructured outdoor exploration becomes a tool for resilience-building, particularly for children impacted by trauma or adversity.

At the core of his practice lies the ANFT principle: “The Forest is the Therapist; the Guide Opens the Doors.” Sean creates learning experiences that encourage children to engage with the “More-Than-Human World” through sensory invitations—whether identifying plant species in Flagstaff’s ponderosa pine forests or practicing mindfulness through seasonal changes. His bilingual (English/Spanish) instruction further deepens these connections, allowing children to explore nature’s wonders in both languages.

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Nature-Based Expertise

Certified through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), Sean employs evidence-based techniques refined during mentored practicums across Arizona’s diverse landscapes. His guided sessions incorporate:

• Sensory immersion activities that sharpen observation skills

• Land storytelling linking local ecology to cultural traditions

• Child-led exploration fostering curiosity and autonomy

• Trauma-informed practices using natural settings for emotional regulation

These methods align with his academic research into how nature exposure impacts neurodevelopment. Sean’s work in the Galapagos—where he taught communities about marine conservation—directly informs his current focus on fostering environmental literacy through hands-on stewardship projects and immersion in nature.

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Community Commitment

Sean’s dedication extends beyond the classroom into broader community safety and preparedness. His crisis management expertise spans roles as a Crisis Specialist in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona’s Crisis Response Team, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). These experiences underscore his belief that nurturing resilient children requires resilient communities—a philosophy driving his advocacy for eco-reciprocity programs that pair forest therapy with conservation initiatives, teaching children to give back to the environments that nourish them.

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Sean represents a new generation of educators merging ecological awareness with developmental science. His interests in nature-based play therapy, rooted in clinical training, social work studies, and cultural humility, offers innovative pathways for childhood development. As he advances his MSW research and ANFT-guided practices, Sean remains committed to his vision: classrooms without walls where children discover their place in nature’s web while building emotional and cognitive strength for life’s challenges.