About me
Sandra Zavala-Ortega was appointed to serve on the School Board for Vancouver Public Schools In April of 2021 and continues to serve on the board after being elected in November 2021. Sandra is the first Latina Director on the Vancouver school board.Sandra is a proud daughter of Mexican Immigrant parents. She started her education experience as a non-English speaker, she took part and graduated from what used to be known as the English Language Learner program in the fourth grade. Sandra graduated from Fort Vancouver High School in 2007 and attended college at St. Martin’s University in Lacey, WA. Sandra studied Community Services with a minor in Psychology. As a college student she served as Senator of Cultural Diversity, established the AHANA (African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian-Pacific Islander, Native American) Connections Orientation in 2010 that is still flourishing today.
After college, Sandra started working for the Vancouver School District as a Family Community Resource Coordinator. She directly supported the needs of the culturally diverse students and families. She has worked in various capacities as a Homeless/Unaccompanied Youth Liaison, Church Secretary, Interpreter, and currently she works from home.
Sandra is a proud mom to her son, who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder.
Sandra’s passion is to learn, educate and advocate for education especially disadvantaged youth, sexual abuse awareness, mental health and autism.
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” Brene Brown.
