2023 Keynote Speaker: Sonia Águila, 2023 National Bilingual Teacher of the Year
Sonia Águila was selected as the 2023 National Bilingual Teacher of the Year. This award celebrates her commitment as an advocate for multilingual students and their families, and as an exceptional educator throughout her 26-year career. Prior to earning this award, Águila was selected as the 2022 California Bilingual Teacher of the Year and the 2017 Carpinteria Unified School District Teacher of the Year. Águila currently teaches second grade dual-language immersion at Canalino Elementary School in Carpenteria, California. She also serves the Carpinteria Unified School District as the Dual Language Immersion Chairperson and co-wrote the Plan Maestro for the district’s Dual Language Immersion Program.
Águila was born in Santa Barbara, but grew up in a small town near Guadalajara, Mexico. At the age of eleven, her family migrated back to California and she entered the school system with limited English skills, only knowing how to count one to ten. Despite this, Águila continued to persevere in school and went on to be recognized as salutatorian at her high school graduation and Latino Student of the Year in college.
After high school, Águila attended Santa Barbara City College before transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara. She continued her studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara and obtained a Multiple Subject Credential with BCLAD Certificate, as well as a Master’s degree in Education.
Águila resides in Santa Barbara County, California’s central coast. In addition to her day job as a teacher, Águila is a radio host, producer, and director of Festival Infantil, a children’s radio show for Radio Bronco 107.7 FM. She is also a columnist for the Education section of Santa Barbara Latino Newspaper. Águila gives back to the profession as a mentor teacher for credential students attending University of California, Santa Barbara and Westmont College. Águila considers herself to be a lifelong learner and is also a current student herself, pursuing a Ph.D. in Education from Utel Universidad.