Dr. Raquel Sáenz Ortiz is an experienced educator and dedicated advocate for quality education in Texas. With over 15 years of experience in the field, she has a deep understanding of the challenges facing our state's education system and is committed to finding innovative solutions that will benefit all teachers and students. Her passion for education stems from her own experiences witnessing failures of the education system, as the daughter of Latin American immigrants (from Puerto Rico and México).
She began her career as a 6th grade Social Studies teacher in the Rio Grande Valley, across the border from where her father grew up in Reynosa, México. She later taught dual language elementary, high school history, and worked as a guidance counselor. She has developed district wide curriculum, including Ethnic Studies curriculum. She met her husband, Martial Sánchez Ocampo, while they were both teaching high school in Boston, MA. She currently teaches pre-service teachers at the college level at Southwestern University. She has a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College and currently lives in Georgetown, TX with her family.
Our vision is to create a more equitable education system in Texas that promotes critical thinking in all content areas and ensures the success of every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, connecting learning to the real world.
Our mission is to improve educational outcomes by implementing evidence-based strategies, culturally responsive pedagogical methods, supporting teachers, and fostering strong partnerships between schools and communities.
As a trusted leader in the education community, Dr. Sáenz Ortiz brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her campaign. Her background as a community organizer, teacher, guidance counselor, teacher educator, and educational researcher enable her to effectively advocate for positive change.