We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sandra Mercuri. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sandra below.

Sandra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Sandra Mercuri Educational Consultants was born from a deep passion to serve multilingual learners in American public schools, as well as their families. I have always viewed education as the great equalizer—a belief that was solidified through my own life experiences and educational journey. It’s a belief that has shaped not only my life but also the lives of my children and the many teachers and students I’ve had the privilege to work with.

In 2003, I founded Sandra Mercuri Educational Consultants with this mission in mind—to improve educational outcomes for multilingual learners. Since then, my company has focused on supporting schools, districts, and families in achieving educational excellence for multilingual students, ensuring they have the resources and guidance they need to thrive. The foundation of my work has always been grounded in love and respect for each student’s unique journey, and it’s this same commitment that continues to drive my company forward today.

Sandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Nearly three decades ago, I arrived in California from Argentina to take on the role of a bilingual newcomer teacher in the Central Valley. With a master’s degree in Spanish linguistics and a BA in Latin American literature, I thought I was prepared. However, the reality of my new role quickly revealed that I had much more to learn. The challenges were real, and I knew that in order to truly support my students, I had to continue my education and immerse myself in the new context. That commitment to learning has stayed with me ever since.
Though my job was challenging, it also brought incredible rewards. Working with newcomer students, many of whom had endured trauma and separation from their families, meant that teaching was about more than just academics. It was about creating a space where these students felt loved, valued, and safe enough to learn. In those early years, I realized that trust, respect, and kindness were essential components of any learning environment. Over time, I learned that teaching with love—not just focusing on standards—was the key to truly connecting with my students. In fact, the students taught me just as much as I taught them, and they were instrumental in shaping the vision behind my work.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in various roles—from classroom teacher to program director, university professor, department chair, and now as the CEO of my own company. But no role has shaped my perspective on education more than that first one as a newcomer teacher. It became clear to me early on that my mission was to help students and their families not only achieve academic success but also gain an education that would empower them to build better lives for themselves and their communities.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

The value of our work lies in the quality and customization of the services we provide, ensuring that each client receives solutions tailored to their specific needs. At Sandra Mercuri Educational Consultants, we have built a reputation around offering high-quality professional development, customized modeled lessons that incorporate district resources to demonstrate effective practices, and tailored co-teaching experiences that help teachers deepen their understanding of instructional strategies.

We also offer coaching sessions for both teachers and administrative teams, supporting them in implementing and monitoring various programs across different languages. This hands-on approach, combined with our extensive experience in diverse educational settings, has positioned us as trusted partners in fostering long-term success.

One of the key strengths of our services is our bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English, which enables us to deliver customized solutions for both educators and parents. This bilingual capability ensures we can effectively meet the unique needs of diverse communities, facilitating stronger communication and engagement.

What truly sets us apart is the partnership we build with the schools and districts we work with. We collaborate closely to develop and execute plans that are in direct alignment with their specific goals and challenges. This personalized approach, combined with our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging needs, has earned us the trust of educational leaders across the regions we serve. We are not just a service provider—we are a dedicated, reliable partner committed to achieving real, measurable success for multilingual learners and their communities

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The primary and most reliable source of new clients for us is word of mouth. The recommendations from districts we have worked with in the past—or are currently collaborating with—serve as a powerful testament to the quality and impact of our work. These referrals from satisfied clients play a crucial role in connecting us with new districts in need of support.

In addition to this, we have a robust marketing plan that ensures our presence across social media platforms and at state, national, and international conferences. These events serve not only as an opportunity for us to stay current on new ideas and trends in the field but also as a space to share our own work, research, and best practices with colleagues in education. By participating in these professional gatherings, we continue to strengthen our network and visibility within the multilingual education community

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sandramercuri.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandramercurieducation/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMEduConsultants
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104098848/admin/dashboard/
• Twitter: https://x.com/sandramercuriec

Image Credits

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