Biography

Sonia N. Sánchez is a Faculty in Residence with the Institute for School and Community Partnerships at Texas A&M University – San Antonio and has served as a Continuous Improvement Specialist for thirteen years. Her passion for transforming schools and ensuring academic success for all students is driven by her own experience growing up as an emergent bilingual in the vibrant neighborhoods of San Antonio’s Southside, where she proudly embraced her Mexican heritage as the daughter of immigrant parents. As a graduate of Luther Burbank High School, a college student in Boston and Spain, and a teacher in Mexico, Sonia is motivated by her diverse experiences to provide all students with transformative learning experiences. 

Venturing far from her Texas roots, Dr. Sánchez embarked on her scholarly path at Boston University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Bilingual Education. Her thirst for knowledge led her back to San Antonio, where she joined The University of Texas at San Antonio. There, she honed her expertise, earning both a Master of Arts in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies and a Ph.D. in Culture, Literacy, and Language. 

Along the way, Sonias passion for learning transcended borders, enticing her to live in Spain, where she enrolled at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain,and took a class on the history of the Spanish language. During her time in Spain, she also interned as an English as a Foreign Language teacher at the esteemed I.E.S. Beatriz Galindo high school, further enriching her cultural and educational experience abroad. 

Upon graduating from Boston University, Sonias professional teaching career began as an English as a Foreign Language instructor at the Universidad De La Sierra, A.C. in Puebla, México. A dedicated educator, she later returned to her San Antonio roots, where she embarked on a transformative journey serving Title I bilingual elementary classrooms. For seven years, she nurtured the minds of fourth-grade students, ultimately stepping out of the role as a classroom teacher after one last year in first grade. 

After spending a few years away from teaching to embrace the joys of motherhood, Sonia reentered the world of education as an ESL Language Support Teacher. Over the course of four years, she provided linguistic support to asylee students hailing from the diverse corners of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. 

Driven by her commitment to educational excellence, Dr. Sánchez assumed various roles at the school district level, each marked by her unwavering dedication. Her journey led her to the position of Texas Title I Priority Schools Grant Manager. Subsequently, moving into the role of Continuous Improvement Specialist, a position she held for nine years, leaving a mark on the educational landscape. 

Sonias fervor for knowledge extends beyond the K-12 space. She has shared her experiences with future educators by having taught courses at the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas A&M San Antonio, both a testament to her vision for empowering communities that have been historically and systemically excluded. 

Sonia has presented at numerous conferences, authored book reviews, collaborated with Latina community artists and activists, and co-authored multiple chapters and encyclopedia entries, all focused on illuminating the Latina/o/x experience in education. 

Dr. Sanchezs life is a testament to the power of education, the importance of cultural identity, and the enduring impact of a passionate learner and educator. Through her work, Sonia has focused on illuminating the educational experiences of historically and systemically excluded communities and is the happiest when she’s empowering communities to transform their educational stories. 

Publications