From English Learner to National Bilingual Teacher of the Year
SBCC alumna Dr. Sonia Aguila is a trailblazing educator with an inspiring personal story. She was born in Santa Barbara and moved to Mexico with her family between the ages of 5 and 11. Determined to learn English upon her return, she worked hard and ended up being the salutatorian of her high school graduating class and delivering her speech in both English and Spanish.
Fast forward to today and Sonia has her PhD, teaches second grade at Canalino Elementary school in Carpinteria, and has received many honors, including being named as California’s Bilingual Teacher of the Year in 2022 and National Bilingual Teacher of the Year in 2023. She says that SBCC, where she earned an associate degree in 1995, played a big role in her personal and educational development. She added that scholarships through the SBCC Foundation provided crucial financial assistance that made higher education accessible to her.
Learn more in the following Q&A with Sonia:
What were some of your favorite classes at SBCC?
I truly enjoyed all of my classes at SBCC. One of the highlights was taking my first music class, which sparked a deep interest in the subject. I also enjoyed courses in communication and public speaking, as they helped me build confidence and skills I continue to use today. Psychology was another favorite of mine—it fascinated me to learn about human behavior and the mind. Literature also stood out to me; I loved diving into the stories and discussions that made each class so engaging and thought-provoking.
What did you do after you graduated, and what are you doing now?
After completing my undergraduate studies, I transferred to UCSB, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chicano Studies, followed by a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Master’s Degree in Education. I completed my PhD in 2024. Currently, I am a second-grade teacher at Canalino Elementary School within the Carpinteria Unified School District. I played a key role in establishing our district’s Dual Language Program in 2017 and now serve as the Dual Language Immersion Chair.
I was honored as California’s Bilingual Teacher of the Year in 2022 and National Bilingual Teacher of the Year in 2023, which gave me the incredible opportunity to travel around the U.S. and promote bilingualism. Additionally, I serve as the Awards Chair for the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE). It gives me great pleasure to mentor student teachers from UCSB and serve on Westmont’s College Teacher Advisory Board. Besides teaching, I also host a children’s program, Festival Infantil, on Radio Bronco, 107.7 FM, and write an education column for the Spanish-language newspaper El Latino.
Please describe your background and how SBCC may have helped you on your academic and career path.
I was born in Santa Barbara, but at the age of 5, my family moved to Mexico to care for my grandpa. We returned to Santa Barbara when I was 11. I could only count to 10 in English, and I cried every day because I couldn’t understand the language. Determined to learn, I started skipping lunch to spend time in the library at Santa Barbara High School, reading and improving my English.
As the salutatorian of my graduating class, I gave a speech in both English and Spanish. I received numerous offers from colleges. I graduated from high school at the age of 16, and moving away to college felt intimidating. However, choosing to attend SBCC turned out to be a great decision—the small class sizes, the incredible support from professors, and the beautiful campus made all the difference.
Did you receive any scholarships through the SBCC Foundation? If so, feel free to include how this may have helped.
I was very fortunate to attend college free of charge, thanks to a combination of scholarships and grants. Coming from a low-income family, this financial assistance played a crucial role in making my education accessible and allowing me to focus on my studies without the burden of tuition costs. When I attended SBCC, the 2-Year Promise program didn’t exist, so I’m glad students now have the opportunity to attend SBCC for free.
What were some of your favorite aspects or memories of SBCC?
Some of my favorite aspects of SBCC were the strong sense of community and the support I received from faculty and staff. I was honored to be named EOPS Student of the Year, which was a huge highlight for me. The academic counselors were incredibly helpful throughout my time at SBCC, guiding me in the right direction and ensuring I stayed on track. I also loved the breathtaking view of Leadbetter Beach, where I often went to read, relax, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Beyond academics, I appreciated the opportunities to connect with my peers and professors, which really made SBCC feel like a place where I could thrive both personally and academically.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about SBCC and your educational and career journey?
SBCC truly is a great college! It’s been a special part of my family’s journey as well—my son Adrian graduated from SBCC in 2022 and now serves as the goalkeeper coach for both the SBCC men’s and women’s soccer teams. My daughter Natalie will be attending SBCC this fall and is excited to play soccer there as well. Looking ahead, I’m proud of the path I’ve taken and the opportunities SBCC has provided. It’s been a place where both education and personal growth flourished, and I’m excited to see the same for my children.
