Meet Master Principal Rubinna Sanchez

Rubinna Sanchez, the principal at Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs Middle School, has called Dallas ISD home for several decades. 

She was born and raised in Dallas and attended all Dallas ISD schools: Rosemont Elementary School, Jesús Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard (formerly known as Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard), W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy, and ultimately Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. 

After graduating, she decided to pursue a career in education, where she has spent 24 years, with 21 of them as a member of the Dallas ISD team.

Sanchez recently joined the more than 20 Dallas ISD principals who were awarded Master Principal designations for the 2022-2023 school year. She said she is proud to be among the top 10 percent of Dallas ISD principals as they collectively work toward student success and college and career readiness. 

What drew you to education? 

I was drawn to education by family and friends. Being a part of a big family, I had several younger cousins that were struggling in school. I was asked if I could help them with homework. I began making real-world connections to help them understand the concepts they were learning. My uncle then mentioned, “You should be a teacher.” Providing support to my family members coupled with tutoring students at a nearby school while in college created the spark for me to pursue a career in education.

What qualities make a great principal? 

I believe a good principal is able to build relationships, promote collaboration, and be an effective listener.

What is your educational philosophy or a motto by which you work? 

I work by several mottos: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and “Your circumstances do not define you.”  

What inspires you about your position? 

I am inspired when I see students have that “aha” moment when something they struggled with just clicks. I get to see students take their learning and continue to grow. I am able to see the positive impact on not only students, but on team members and the community.