Sonia Aguila

Affiliation

Canalino Elementary School

Biography

Sonia Águila was born in California and raised in Mexico, returning to the United States at the age of eleven. Her bicultural journey shaped her identity and ignited a lifelong passion for bilingual education. A dedicated and accomplished scholar, Sonia graduated as the Salutatorian of her high school class and was named Latino Student of the Year at Santa Barbara City College. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, followed by a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with an emphasis in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Education. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Education, further strengthening her commitment to research-based and culturally sustaining practices. With 28 years of experience in education, Sonia currently teaches second grade in a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program and serves as the DLI Chair for Carpinteria Unified School District. She is also the co-founder of the district’s Dual Language Immersion program and a professor at California Lutheran University, where she mentors future educators. Beyond the classroom, Sonia has hosted Festival Infantil, a Spanish-language children’s radio program, for 28 years. She is an education columnist for El Latino newspaper and a Spanish film narrator. Sonia’s leadership and impact have been recognized with numerous honors, including CABE Teacher of the Year (2022), NABE Bilingual Teacher of the Year (2023), and Girls Inc. Woman of Inspiration (2024). She currently serves as the NABE Awards Chair, supporting national efforts to recognize excellence in bilingual education.