Karla R. Sanchez

Karla R. Sanchez, PhD, serves as the Director of Special Education for the San Diego Unified School District and is an LAEP Equity Coach, providing high-quality, equity-focused coaching for educational leaders. As co-founder of Colmena-consulting, Sanchez offers consulting services to support collective action and center marginalized voices. An adjunct professor at the University of San Diego, Sanchez teaches graduate-level courses in Special Education and has held various roles in multiple educational institutions, including Director of Special Education & Student Support Services at Elevate Charter Schools and Special Education Coordinator in the Escondido Union High School District. Sanchez holds a PhD in Education from the University of San Diego, an MS in Special Education from National University, a BS in Psychology from San Diego State University, and a degree in Spanish Language & Literature from Universidad Complutense de Madrid.