Dr. Raquel Sáenz Ortiz is originally from New Mexico and began her teaching career as a 6^th grade Social Studies teacher in South Texas, across the border from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, where her father was raised. Over the past decade, Raquel taught in a dual language elementary school in Nicaragua and an alternative high school in Boston. While teaching in Boston, Raquel became immersed in organizing efforts for Ethnic Studies and has been part of a collective of educators designing Ethnic Studies curriculum for Boston Public Schools. Throughout her career as an educator, both K-12 and higher education, Raquel has sought to root curriculum in student identities and experiences, while also seeking to support students in building critical consciousness. At Southwestern, Raquel teaches Foundations and Curriculum of American Schools, as well as most of the methods courses for pre-service secondary teachers. She is also the Director of Field Based Placements for  pre-service secondary teachers.

Education:

PhD, Curriculum and Instruction, Boston College

MA, Historic Interdisciplinary Studies, Universidad de Guanajuato (México)

BA, Anthropology, Colorado College

Dr. Sáenz Ortiz’s research focuses on the impact of culturally sustaining pedagogies on immigrant-origin youth in the United States, as well as in several European nations. She has conducted research in the United States, México, France, Spain and Morocco. Below are two of the projects that she is currently working on:

• Culturally Sustaining Pedagogical Models for Romani youth
• Culturally Responsive Pedagogies for Romani and Immigrant origin youth in Spain 

Select Peer Reviewed Journals:

Sáenz Ortiz, R. & Ramirez, R. (2025). An undue burden: The impact of censorship laws on Ethnic Studies teachers in Texas. Ethnic Studies Pedagogies Journal, 3(1), 153-167.

Sáenz Ortiz, R., Ramirez, R. & Carrasco Torres, L. (2025). Centering community in fugitive pedagogy: Pláticas with Chicana Ethnic Studies teachers. Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social, 24(1), 34-65.

Sáenz Ortiz, R. (2024). Solidarity in labor organizing: The alliance between the Black Panther Party and the United Farm Workers. Black History Bulletin, 87(2), 7-14.

Sáenz Ortiz, R. (2024). Radical love: Liberatory pedagogical praxis for Black and Latinx youth in an alternative school. The International Journal of Learner Diversity and Identities, 31(1), 99-124.

Books and Chapters:

Sánchez, J.G. & Sáenz, R.Y. (2017). Stories, counterstories, and tales of resistance: Family history projects in World History classrooms. Race Lessons: Using Inquiry to Teach About Race in Social Studies. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Sáenz Ortiz, R. (2015). Descolonización de la mente: El papel de los educadores en la auto-percepción de la identidad en mexicoamericanos (1970-1990) y franco-magrebíes (1980-2000). Saarbrücksen, Germany: Editorial Académica Española.

Below are select presentations that Dr. Sáenz Ortiz has given: 

Sáenz Ortiz, R. & Boutris, M. (August 2024). Centering Turkish-origin students: Culturally responsive teaching in an Austrian technical school. European Conference on Educational Research, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Sáenz Ortiz, R. & Çolak, Z. (July 2024). Co-constructing a pedagogy of radical belonging: Pláticas on teaching for social justice. IMISCOE (International Migration Research Network) Annual Conference, Lisbon, Portugal.

Sáenz Ortiz, R. (July 2023). Ethnic Studies and the fight for educational equity for immigrant-origin youth in an era of censorship in the United States. IMISCOE (International Migration Research Network) Annual Conference, Warsaw, Poland.

Sáenz Ortiz, R, Ramirez, R. & Carrasco Torres, L. (October 2022). Curricular imperialism: The impact of “anti-CRT” legislation on Ethnic Studies classrooms in Texas. Critical Race Studies in Education Annual Conference, Edwardsville, IL.

Sáenz Ortiz, R. (April, 2019). Pedagogies of resistance and freedom: Co-constructing critical consciousness in alternative schools. American Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

Peter, S., Maltbie, C., Sáenz, R.Y, Bertolaet, B., Allen-Wiles, N. (March 2, 2022). Understanding gender identity and pronouns: Creating inclusive environments. Womenade Boston. Virtual.

Sáenz, R.Y., Holliday, S., & Camara, M. (January 28, 2021). The Fight for Ethnic Studies in BPS. Black Lives Matter at School. High Meadows Graduate School of Teaching and Learning.

Sáenz, R.Y. (October 6^th, 2020). Culturally sustaining teaching for Black and Brown youth. Advanced Community Research Seminar. Taught by Maheen Haider, Boston College, Chestnut Hills, MA.