Sonia Aguila, Canalino School’s second grade dual-language immersion (DLI) teacher, has been honored with two teacher of the year awards. Canalino School is in the Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD)
The most recent Teacher of the Year recognition is from the National Association of Bilingual Educators (NABE). And, earlier this school year, Aguila was named Teacher of the Year for the California Association of Bilingual Educators (CABE).
NABE’s mission is to advocate for educational equity and excellence for bilingual/multilingual students in a global society.
The award recognized Aguila’s talents as an advocate for bilingual students and their families, and as an outstanding instructor for her students for 25 years at Canalino School.
“Sonia has been an outstanding leader, especially in the inception of the DLI program in CUSD, serving on the leadership team from the very start, writing the Plan Maestro for our program,” said Canalino Principal Jamie Persoon.
“Sonia also often facilitates ELAC meetings, supports culturally relevant instruction and events for students and families, and hosts a radio show in Santa Barbara, helping parents in how to best support their students,” he said.
“We are all extremely proud that Sonia Aguila, Teacher of the Year for the National Association of Bilingual Educators, serves our students in Carpinteria,” he said.
NABE is the only national professional organization devoted to representing bilingual/multilingual students and bilingual and dual language education professionals.
NABE has 20 state/regional affiliates and four international affiliates, which collectively represent more than 5,000 members. Members include bilingual and English learner teachers, parents, paraprofessionals, administrators, professors, advocates, researchers, and policy makers.
Aguila will be representing all bilingual educators across the country when she attends the annual NABE conference Feb. 21-23 in Portland, Oregon.
NABE places high value on the academic, linguistic, and cultural development of a child’s native language.