Dr. Claudia Sánchez is a professor of bilingual education and English as a Second Language (ESL) at Texas Woman’s University. She was born in Saltillo, Mexico and
Dr. Claudia Sánchez
grew up speaking Spanish, English, and French.
Dr. Sánchez believes that one’s culture and language define in great measure one’s identity, hence the importance to celebrate and integrate students’ cultures and languages into instruction.
By the age of 22, Dr. Sánchez had earned two bachelor’s degrees in Mexico; one in law and one in teaching from Facultad de Jurisprudencia and Normal Superior de Coahuila, respectively. For years, she taught grades K-12 in a bilingual program and also taught foreign languages at the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila. She then moved to the U.S. to pursue graduate studies and earned a master’s degree and a doctoral degree with an emphasis in bilingual education and ESL at Texas A&M – College Station. She has been an educator for over 30 years; 20 of which she has served as instructor of graduate and undergraduate courses in the area of bilingual education and ESL.
Dr. Sánchez’s research interests include the Hispanic oral tradition as an instructional tool in grades K-12, family involvement in children's education, and bilingual/ESL teacher preparation. A speaker of Spanish, English, and French, she is currently an enthusiastic Turkish language learner.
Her hobbies include biking, listening to music, cooking, and community service in public education. She also enjoys running projects that focus on collaboration between in-service public school teachers and undergraduate teacher candidates.
Anna Betancur is a veteran teacher with over 30 years of experience in Early Childhood, Kindergarten, and Special Education. She was born in Montero, Bolivia
Anna Betancur
where she was raised as a bilingual and bicultural student.
She moved to the U.S. at age 17 to finish high school and then started her teacher preparation program at Texas Woman’s University. She is fluent in English and Spanish and has taught bilingual education since its inception in Texas.
Mrs. Betancur is passionate about the impact of culture, families, and the use of art and music in the classroom. These elements also promote a higher participation and involvement of family into the school setting, which in turn translates into long-term personal and academic success in children’s lives.
An important aspect of Mrs. Betancur's teaching has been her partnerships with the families whose children she has taught. In partnership with families, she has co-created classroom cookbooks and theater plays, as well as shared arts and crafts and gardening lessons outside school hours.
Mrs. Betancur is the mother of three children whom she raised bilingual (Nando, performing arts; Andrés, high school Spanish teacher; and Tatiana, oil and gas industry). She also has six grandchildren whose parents she actively encourages and supports in their quest to raise a new generation of bilingual children.
Mrs. Betancur’s hobbies include gardening, art appreciation, and community service. As a volunteer, she enjoys going on mission trips to many Latin American countries serving as a medical translator.