Thea Dery grew up in the Hudson Valley where she learned to speak Spanish first with her grandmother and later in school. She graduated from Occidental College with a BA in Spanish Language and Latin American Studies and a minor in Visual Art. Her working background includes community organizing and public outreach, as well as translation, design, and dual-language education.

Thea found her way to Mi Casita while searching for a position at the intersection of community work, art, and Spanish -- tools she sees as integral to social change -- and is energized by educating through artistic expression, exploration, play, and an environment of respect and appreciation for little minds. When not at school she works as a licensed tattoo artist and relishes in gardening, cooking for loved ones, filling endless sketchbooks, and lounging with her three cats. thea@micentrobk.org