Lori Sanchez
Family Engagement Coordinator
Lori Sanchez was born and raised in Texas, where she learned about the strength of family from her parents who came as immigrants to the US from Mexico. As the middle child of three siblings, Lori learned to be a good mediator and communicator. As a first generation American, Lori grew to value education in the pursuit of her dreams. She graduated from UT Austin with a degree in Journalism and began her professional career as a Director of Communications for a national health organization. She realized her passion for teaching after the birth of her first child. She taught at the elementary level and later became a certified Montessori teacher, known as a Guide, for pre-school level. After working for a few years as a Montessori Guide, Lori received her certification for 8th–12th grade English and Journalism in public education. For the past eight years she worked as a parent liaison at the high school level.
Through her work as a parent liaison, Lori was able to combine her passion for teaching and communication. She developed various community partnerships which provided resources for families in her community. These partnerships provided English classes, career development opportunities and health and mental wellness workshops. As the parent of a child with Down syndrome, Lori sought to develop resources to support parents of children with special needs as they transitioned through and out of high school. She is active in the first Texas-based Gigi’s Playhouse, an achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome and their families, which originated in Chicago. Her daughter has taught her the true meaning of resilience, compassion and patience as well as the value of daily hugs.
Lori began to work with Be Strong Families in 2019. She first trained in Parent Cafés with the intent to bring the program to her school. In the spring of 2020, she participated in the online Staying Strong and Positive for Ourselves and Our Children webinars. She enjoyed them so much that she became a “Super Fan.” She was invited, along with several of her Texas community partners, to present on the Be Strong Families Spanish webinar series. Lori believes that the online platform will continue to grow because the format allows for limitless outreach.
Lori lives in Texas with her husband, two of her three children and a crazy German Shepherd named Shadow. She is currently learning to speak and read Korean so that she can keep up with two of her favorite things: K-dramas and the phenomenal Korean band BTS!
“Family is my heart — mi corazόn. Family is my source of strength, solace, joy and laughter. Wherever I am, whatever the circumstances, family is home. It is my connection to the past and a bridge to the future.”