Francisca Sánchez is a poet, “word weaver,” educator, and advocate for bilingual education whose life’s work centers on empowering students, teachers, and communities through language, creativity, and cultural pride. She brings a deeply personal understanding of multilingualism as a former English Learner and credits her parents—who ensured all nine of their children could pursue higher education—with instilling in her a profound respect for learning and opportunity. 

Sánchez pursued advanced studies with a full scholarship to Mount Holyoke College, and continued her academic development at San Jose State University and Stanford University, experiences that helped shape her approach to equitable, culturally responsive education. 

Throughout her career, she has been widely recognized for her contributions as an educator and leader. Her honors include the 2002 Inland Empire Educator of the Year Award, the 2005 ACSA State Valuing Diversity Award, and the 2006 CABE Vision Award, which reflect her long‑standing commitment to expanding educational access and celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity.

Today, Sánchez serves as the CEO of Provocative Practice™, an educational consulting organization dedicated to transforming schools and communities through creativity, biliteracy, and high‑level intellectual engagement. In partnership with her son, visual artist Nicolás Sánchez, she regularly visits schools to guide students, families, and educators through bilingual creative‑expression workshops designed to build community and inspire learning. 

When I Dream / Cuando Sueño, her first fiction book and first artistic collaboration with her son, grew out of a poetry, dance, and music institute. The book carries a message of hope, responsibility, and the belief that we can—and must—build new, inspiring worlds for children. It continues her lifelong mission to uplift teachers and spark imagination in the classroom.