Investing in our children's future
Dr. Garcia-Sanchez was unanimously appointed as the superintendent in January 2021 and began her term effective July 1, 
2021. Recognized as an experienced bilingual, school district leader who brings multicultural awareness and equity to her leadership, Dr. Garcia-Sanchez is focused on working with school communities to promote strong instructional leadership, conducive vigorous learning environments and holistic opportunities for all students through deep cycles of inquiry and collaboration. Dr. Garcia-Sanchez is noted for being skilled in leadership coaching, strategic planning, and community engagement to ensure social-emotional alignment through voice and advocacy.
Now preparing to enter her fourth year as DeKalb’s superintendent, the district has experienced significant change and growth under her leadership. The implementation of a five-year strategic plan rooted in a diversity theory of action has helped move the district forward in several areas, including establishing the district’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department, prioritizing professional learning, resources, and access to tools for building leadership and teachers, investing $33.8 million on a new school renovation and addition to establish a neighborhood school in an area where more than 33% of district elementary students reside, but have no school within walking distance, and fulfilling a long-term need to move the 18-22 young adult transitions program out of a classroom space within the high school to its own new residential space that can more fully accommodate the diverse needs of students.
Dr. Garcia-Sanchez completed her doctorate in urban education policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Spring of 2021. She also holds a master’s degree in instructional leadership (PEL) from Chicago State University, as well as master’s level coursework in bilingual education, also from Chicago State University. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Loyola University-Chicago.
On a personal note, Dr. Garcia-Sanchez is married to Horacio Sanchez, and they have three adult sons, Horacio, Cristian, and Jesse.
Read more about Dr. Garcia-Sanchez in this feature blog series
"The Stories We Tell," posted by Voice4Equity