The California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) has selected Sonia Águila-González (TEP, MST, M.Ed., ’98) as its 2022 Teacher of the Year. Águila-González teaches at the Canalino Elementary School in the Carpinteria Unified School District.
“Ms. Águila-González has dedicated her career to transforming the lives of bilingual children and their families, both inside and outside the classroom, for more than 23 years,” the CABE announcement reads. “She has taught in all the primary grades and is currently the lead teacher for the Dual Language Immersion program. Her classrooms are filled with love and joy, and students eagerly read, write, research, and solve math problems in both English and Spanish. She has high expectations for her students, and they work hard with her warm and positive support. Each student knows that she cares deeply for their well-being and academic success. Her daily teaching reflects professional knowledge, skills, artistry, passion and commitment—all requisite elements of excellent teaching.”
In addition to her teaching the Teacher Education Program alumna serves as the district liaison to Spanish-speaking parents. She has been the host, director, and producer of the Spanish Children’s Radio Program on 107.7 FM for 24 years and writes columns for the Education section of the Santa Barbara Latino newspaper.
The California Association for Bilingual Education is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1976 to promote bilingual education and quality educational experiences for all students in California. CABE has chapters, members and affiliates, along with partnerships with other state and national advocacy organizations working to promote equity and student achievement for students with diverse cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds. CABE recognizes and honors the fact that we live in a rich multicultural, global society and that respect for diversity makes us a stronger state and nation.