Posted on September 1, 2025 by Katelyn Juarez
Patricia Sanchez, PhD
Patricia Sánchez, PhD, is the department chair and professor for the UT San Antonio Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies and editor of the Association of Mexican American Educators Journal (AMAE).
The Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE) Journal is a national, refereed, peer-reviewed journal that addresses interdisciplinary research and academic issues of importance in the education of Mexican-American/Latinx children and families to help inform those working in the field of educational studies. AMAE hopes their research is of service to other stakeholders, such as administrators, policymakers, teachers, civic leaders, grassroots organizers, and parents. The AMAE Journal is organized and focused to make an immediate impact at different educational levels, apprising different constituencies—from academia to policymakers to school districts to communities—on the conditions of Mexican-American/Latinx students and their families.
What drew you to become involved with the Association of Mexican American Educators Journal?
I was invited by the editorial team to join as an associate editor after having served as a co-guest editor on a special issue. I loved the mission of the Journal and was happy to join.
What sets the AMAE Journal apart from others in the field?
First, the AMAE Journal is one of a handful of journals that exclusively focuses on Latinx education in the US. But what is more unique is that the Journal was founded as a result of the late1960s blowouts that happened in East LA, where Chicanx/a/os were demanding a better public education. It grew out of an organization of teachers (AMAE), committed to bringing about change in the schooling of Mexican American children. Today the Journal does not exclusively focus on Mexican American students but on all Latinxs in the US and their educational trajectory.
What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a journal editor or joining an editorial board?
I would say to first try and get published in that journal to understand its full publication process. Also volunteer to be a consistent, dependable reviewer. Then, befriend the editor or members of the editorial board, and let them know that you are highly interested in joining the editorial board or the editorial team; some journals, however, have an application process for both or either, so be prepared to go through that.
What is something non-academic that you are currently obsessed with?
Listening to local live music that is either Tejano, country, or salsa, and dancing to it with different dance partners.
If you weren’t in academia, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
I think I would love to run a non-profit that focuses on making art with children and their families in low-income communities. I was able to do this as a kid in the 70s in Benson, AZ, and loved making ceramics, painting t-shirts, and making acrylic/resin paperweights.
— Katelyn Juarez
