NYC Gazette

Sonia Nieto, an esteemed educator with over 50 years of experience, has been honored by her alma mater, The School of Education (TSOE). Reflecting on this recognition, Nieto expressed her gratitude: "I am honored to receive this award from my Alma Mater. It is especially significant to me because it recognizes the work I’ve done as an educator, what I consider the most important vocation in the world."

Nieto's career began as a teacher in Brooklyn and the Bronx before she transitioned to roles at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her focus has been on teacher education and multicultural and bilingual education. She emphasized that although she no longer teaches, she continues to write and mentor young scholars.

Her educational journey was significantly influenced by her time at TSOE. She recalled her parents' belief in public education despite their own limited schooling: "My parents came to the States from Puerto Rico... Neither had completed high school." Nieto highlighted how her courses prepared her for teaching but noted a desire for more practical experience before entering the classroom.

She fondly remembered professors who shaped her path, particularly Señora Doyaga: "She was the first Latina teacher I had and it motivated me to believe I too could someday become a professor." Nieto also cherished memories from TSOE's Brooklyn campus where she developed leadership skills through various organizations.

Addressing future educators, Nieto advised them to view their careers as ongoing learning journeys: "Life is about learning – after all, we as educators who are committed to the field know this – so their learning is just beginning." She encouraged new teachers to seek support from colleagues and mentors while keeping students' needs central in their work.

Nieto concluded with a reflection inspired by Paulo Freire: "The answer should not be administrators, politicians, or policymakers... but rather students and their families."