CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A new elementary school in Chula Vista is honoring the accomplishments of the first Latina and third woman to ever be appointed to the Supreme Court.
At Sonia Sotomayor Elementary, Hispanic heritage and values have become some of the building blocks for students and staff to learn from and thrive.
“I can honestly say it is very humbling to be leading a school community named after Sonia Sotomayor,” said Martha-Irene Garza, Principal at the elementary school.
It’s Garza’s second year as principal. The school opened in July 2024 to serve the growing Otay Ranch community and puts a big focus on bicultural learning, something Garza grew up with.
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“I grew up on both sides of the border. My mom herself was an educator she actually taught in Mexico,” she told FOX 5/KUSI.
Garza’s mom, eventually became a school principal in Mexico, so this position is a full circle moment for her.
“I was essentially just in an English program and I’m very fortunate to know two languages because my mom was then giving me the instruction at home,” explained Garza.
At Sonia Sotomayor Elementary, kids from T-K all the way through sixth grade get the chance to enroll in the dual language immersion program, learning in both Spanish and English.
“As you had the opportunity to notice, my class is rich with multiculturalism and diversity,” said Leticia Trujillo Lopez, a second grade dual language teacher.
Like Garza, Trujillo Lopez is providing her students an opportunity that wasn’t available to her.
“I also remember that I was in an all-English class and a dual immersion classroom at the time was nonexistent,” said Trujillo Lopez.
The dual language immersion classrooms don’t just focus on reading and speaking Spanish, but a deeper understanding of the culture as well.
“It’s just exciting when I teach about things that I know. When I teach about things that I can connect with: the language, the food, the people,” said Trujillo Lopez.
One person seen throughout the school is it’s namesake, Sonia Sotomayor, in books, posters, and other learning materials.
The Supreme Court Justice is not just represented by her name on the school, Sonia Sotomayor’s values and character are woven into the guiding principles for students and staff
“Honoring her Hispanic heritage our acronym is actually a Spanish word it is ‘Fuerza’ and it stands for strength. Each of those letters is a character strength,” explained Garza.
The letters stand for focused, unique, empathetic, resilient, zealous, and accountable, used as teachable moments for students.
Being a new school, the school board searched for an impactful name, with the help of input the community. Sonia Sotomayor Elementary provides a solid foundation for the school, staff, and students to honor a life and legacy that’s still being written.
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