Sonya is passionate about offering educational opportunities to students. She has 14 years of combined experience in higher education and public education. Her philosophy of “What’s Best for Students” is one that promotes student and teacher success. She serves as a Team Leader to the Core Enrichment Department, as well as mentor to 1st year teachers. As a principal intern, she collaborated with administrators on the professional development of teachers. She is more than gracious for being a member of a team that took a C-rated school and turned it into an A-rated one in one school year. Her desire to serve students, teachers, administrators, and stakeholders will provide for their advocacy on the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees.

Sonya is the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Science from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a Master of Education Administration and Leadership from Lamar University. While growing up in Northeast Houston in the Kashmere Gardens community, the neighborhood schools were surrounded by drugs, crime, and violence. She credits her parents, teachers, and principals for building a culture of high educational expectations. While a student at Kashmere Gardens Elementary, the school cafetorium had a banner that declared: ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN. ALL STUDENTS WILL LEARN. This was the standard for which Sonya continued to pursue her education. It is maintained as an educator within the Houston Independent School District. When elected to the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, she plans to restore that sense of urgency and assist with building a culture of high expectations. She believes that instead of pointing fingers and blaming others for low performing schools, we should partner with community groups and businesses with a vested interest in the future of our students.

Currently, Sonya serves on the Board of Directors for Fort Bend MUD #131. She has used her educational background to promote the education of the district residents about property taxes via tax seminars. She understands the importance of fiscal responsibility while being accountable and transparent with constituents. If elected, it is her desire to engage taxpayers with a direct and honest approach in communicating the district’s expenditures.

Sonya is a mother of 3 adult children and grandmother to a 2-year-old granddaughter. She emerges from a family of fishermen. This has fostered a patience and perseverance throughout life’s challenges and endeavors. She is a member of the Word of Restoration International Church. Also, she enjoys spending time with her extended family, traveling, cooking, learning about different cultures and discussing politics with her father.