ANNOUNCING THE WOMAN OF THE MONTH

Meet June’s Fort Worth Woman! Given the current climate, we can all agree that the unsung, everyday heroes are the teachers. They are the people who know our children almost as well as we do. They are the people who find individualized ways to educate our students. They are the ones willing to protect their students as their own. They are some of the most selfless, caring people who are truly on a mission to change the world. Erika Sanchez, owner of La Puerta Spanish Center, is no different.

Since she was a little girl, Erika knew she wanted to become a teacher. Education peaked her interest at an early age as she grew up with very influential teachers and coaches throughout her life. Growing up in an English speaking household, Erika later developed a love of Spanish via her first job in high school. As a carhop for Sonic (yes, she wore the roller skates and all!) she quickly developed her Spanish-speaking skills in order to communicate with her fellow employees. Erika explains from her heart, “It was so exciting for me to learn to speak with people with whom I previously was unable to communicate. From there, I decided to major in Spanish in college.”

After graduating from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Spanish Education, Erika decided to immerse herself fully in the language and move to Mexico. This was where she gained her true hands-on experience of not only the language, but the culture. In looking back at her time spent in Mexico, Erika describes, “I had the great privilege of living with several different Mexican families which allowed me the unique opportunity to be completely immersed in the language and culture.  I had an amazing experience sharpening my language skills and embracing the culture- specifically the food!” She spent two years and three full summers working with youth in Mexico City and Guadalajara before returning to Texas to start her career as an elementary school teacher – teaching dual language in Fort Worth ISD. A few years in despite her complete love for her students and classroom, she made the hard decision as she started having children of her own to dedicate more time to her family.  The day she told her principal she was going to stay at home, Erika describes that she sobbed. Her teacher career was a part of her heart, making it incredibly hard to press pause.

Like many moms who work their entire careers only to yield in a new direction when they have children, leaving her full-time job brought a void in her life that teaching used to fill. Instead of allowing those feelings to swallow her thoughts, she sprung in to action and did what all teachers do – she found a way to help, but on her part-time terms. In her research, Erika quickly noticed a void in Fort Worth. Erika states further, “I wished that there was some way that I could formally share my knowledge and passion for Spanish with those around me.  All of that wishing quickly turned into a plan to fill a need that I saw in Fort Worth. We needed an option for extracurricular Spanish classes! There was nowhere in Fort Worth that an elementary age student could go to learn Spanish.  Sure, there were preschools, and private schools, and a small handful of two-way dual language public schools.  But there was nowhere that a student could just sign up to take Spanish classes as an extracurricular class.”

In 2018, this is where La Puerta Spanish Center came to fruition and – literally — opened the door of opportunity. Erika describes, “In Spanish, “la puerta” means “the door” and that is exactly what we seek to be. Our goal is to be the door which kids walk through to experience a new language and culture.” Erika now teaches group Spanish classes on location in the Fort Worth area and has even developed a thriving online program.

Play is essential at La Puerta. Games, songs, and activities in the content of engaging stories to teach language is the absolute focus of the curriculum. Beginner classes (for both children and adults) as well as conversational classes allow for growth as well as extended learning for children who are in a two-way dual language program during the school year. The Spanish language is a passion for Erika and given her growth of her program in such a short span of time, it’s evident that others are seeing it as well. She states, “It’s a joy and an honor to expose these young minds to a new language. After all, the world is knocking; open the door!”

Since founding La Puerta Spanish Center in 2018 Erika has worked with hundreds of kids here locally as well as kids all around the world as Covid hit via their virtual platform. Erika describes La Puerta’s progress, “As Fort Worth continues to grow, in awareness of the need for bilingualism, our program continues to grow. I have brought on four additional fantastic teachers so that we can reach even more students in the Fort Worth area and beyond. Our vision includes not only Spanish education, but also guided trips of Spanish speaking countries, local cultural events and more!”

What Erika loves about Fort Worth are the Fort Worth Zoo, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, as well as the opportunities. Despite the large size, Fort Worth provides the small town feel that both envelopes and provides loyalty to small businesses that have an impact of the heart. She further describes, “It didn’t take long for me see this as an amazing opportunity for me to use my talents and passion to serve this great city.  I love the Spanish language and consider it a great privilege to hold open the door (La Puerta) for students to experience a new language right here in Cowtown.”

When describing her impact as a businesswoman on our city, Erika jumped to the applicable word of ‘dynamic’. She describes, “I’m upbeat & bring lots of energy to what I do. La Puerta’s classes are engaging and interactive. Also, I have made changes the way I run my business to meet demand. I moved classes to a virtual format during Covid without missing a beat. I used to only offer beginners classes, but after being contacted by many moms of dual language students, I added Spanish conversation classes to the lineup. I am ever changing, evolving and growing to best serve the needs of my students.” Erika is determined, constantly adapting, and is a force that is truly creating change in the exact moment it’s needed.

Interested in opening ‘the door’? Visit https://www.lapuertaspanishcenter.com to view their many class options and see what fits you best. As Erika says, “the world is knocking” so now is the time to start!