Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophie Bobes.
Hi Sophie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Although I was raised in Central Florida and earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida, I often reflect that Miami is the city that truly shaped me. After working with Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, I moved four hours south to Coral Gables and began working as an Early Childhood Special Educator at the UM Linda Ray Intervention Center within the Psychology Department at the University of Miami. Those transformative years gave me the opportunity to be mentored by incredible leaders in the field of Early Intervention and to grow both professionally and personally. Miami also allowed me to more fully embrace my Cuban and Spanish heritage. It was a chapter of profound growth, shaped by the chance to work and learn within the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of Miami-Dade County.
As I enter my fifteenth school year, I find myself reflecting on the experiences that have shaped my perspective as an Early Interventionist and Mental Health Consultant. My own educational journey began with challenges: I was diagnosed with a processing disorder in early childhood and spent much of my adolescence in special education classrooms. While I was fortunate to have teachers who tailored instruction to my learning style, I often felt behind and frustrated when I could not keep pace with my peers. These struggles followed me into college, where large lecture halls left me feeling lost once again. In my junior year at UCF, however, I discovered my passion for child development and was accepted into the small but impactful program in Early Childhood Development and Education. Those years solidified my purpose: to create inclusive learning environments that nurture both the academic and social emotional growth of every student.
In 2019, I celebrated a full-circle moment when I graduated from the University of Miami with a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. The spark that was lit within me as a struggling learner has endured across decades, shaping the advocate I am today as a child-centered professional, mental health consultant, and trainer committed to empowering educators. My time at UM also gave me the opportunity to step beyond my role as a hands-on interventionist and into the field of mental health consultation, where I supported educators and leaders in creating environments that meet the diverse needs of children.
Since beginning my work as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant in 2021, I have been proud to serve in a variety of roles with the University of Miami, the University of Virginia, the WestEd IECMHC Network, and through my own company, Sunshine Educational Consulting. Founding Sunshine has allowed me to build meaningful partnerships with families and schools while also collaborating with The Discovery Source, a San Diego-based publishing company that develops evidence-informed resources for supporting young children’s social, emotional, and behavioral development. In my role as a professional development trainer, I travel across the country presenting these resources to school districts, equipping educators with tools to better serve their students.
Looking ahead, I am especially excited about Sunshine’s upcoming partnership with the Neighborhood House Association Head Start program. This opportunity represents the heart of my work: bridging research, practice, and advocacy to create environments where every child can thrive.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Over the years working as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant on federally funded grant programs, I experienced the uncertainty that came with waiting each June to learn whether we would receive funding to continue such impactful work. While most of this work took place in Head Start centers and public preschool programs, I began to notice a significant gap in private preschool settings, particularly in their training around social emotional learning and their ability to support children with special needs. That gap is what inspired the opening of Sunshine Educational Consulting. Since then, we have had the privilege of partnering with schools, leaders, educators, and families to better support children’s needs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Sunshine, our mission is to equip the most important people in a child’s life with the tools and support they need to foster success. Through collaborative early childhood mental health consultation, professional development, and special education advocacy, we strive to shine a light on the potential within every child.
One of my greatest strengths is the ability to observe, gather information, and problem solve. Sometimes that means carefully observing a child and providing tailored recommendations to teachers or parents. Other times it involves actively listening to leaders as we work together to solve broader system wide challenges. It also often means creating a reflective space where providers can pause, care for their own well being, and strengthen their practice.
I would love for the San Diego community to know about Sunshine and the support we provide. This includes helping parents navigate big transitions in their little one’s life, supporting teachers in managing challenging behaviors, and training educators to use social emotional resources with confidence. My hope is that, over time, my legacy in this community will be one of compassion, support, and guidance.
This October, I am thrilled to begin a certification program in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation with Georgetown University. Over the next nine months, I will be sharing reflections from this journey, as well as other updates, on Sunshine Educational Consulting’s Instagram page.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Guiding others to find their stride and overcome challenges brings me the deepest sense of joy. I am grateful for the opportunity to empathize, offer strategies and support, and foster a sense of community where people feel uplifted and balanced. Happiness is a subject close to my heart. Having attended the World Happiness Summit for several years, I have spent a great deal of time studying and reflecting on what it means to live a happy life. For me, happiness is rooted in connection, community, and quality time. Sharing adventures or simple moments with loved ones, engaging in meaningful conversations, or simply offering a listening ear all fuel me and remind me of what truly matters. This mirrors much of the work I do each day, as supporting and caring for others brings me a sense of purpose, energy, and deep contentment. I also find joy in nature, especially on the beautiful coastal trails near home. A walk by the coast is always a reset and an instant mood booster.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunedco.com
- Instagram: @sunshineeducationalconsulting
- Facebook: Sunshine Educational Consulting
- LinkedIn: Sophia Bobes
Image Credits
@destyniepaigephotography
