A Dream Come True

Missar Sanguino knows firsthand what it takes to make a dream come true.

Sanguino came to the United States with her family at a very young age. Although only seven years old at the time, she had big dreams. Big dreams, however, are often tested by big challenges along the way. One of her first challenges was to learn a new language.

“I felt lost and confused that I could not communicate with my teacher,” Sanguino said.

Learning English is no small task. Imagine how confusing it must have been, not being able to talk to her teacher. Thankfully, Sanguino was assigned a buddy helper who assisted her during the day. After school, however, was another story. No one in her family spoke English. Determined to do whatever it took to help their daughter succeed, Sanguino’s parents reached out to their community. In doing so, they met neighbors who generously offered to tutor Sanguino. By helping her with her daily homework assignments, she made great progress and was an A and B honor student throughout school and college. Her favorite affirmation to keep her focused on her dream?

“Sì, se puede.” Translation? Yes, it can be done.

“I learned that it does not matter where you come from that you can still dream and work hard to fulfill your dreams and reach your ultimate goals in life,” Sanguino shared.

Fast forward to her first job at Houston Elementary School in Lancaster ISD, where Sanguino started working as a night custodian. She knew hard work would ultimately help her reach her goal of becoming a classroom teacher. Her strong work ethic did not go unnoticed, and she was soon moved to the day shift. After three years of working hard and improving her English, Sanguino took the next step toward her dream: she applied for and became a teacher’s aide.

She didn’t stop there because her dream had yet to come true, so Sanguino took two more giant steps towards her dream by earning her associate’s degree from Dallas Community College, and then her Bachelor of Science Interdisciplinary Studies in Education from University of North Texas at Dallas. Quite an amazing accomplishment, since Sanguino was going to college full time and working full time, all the while being a mother, wife, sister, and friend.

Today, you will find Sanguino teaching math, reading, writing, science, and social studies to second graders at, you guessed it, Houston Elementary School. A true believer that all students can learn, she tries to put herself in her students’ shoes, so she can identify and meet their specific needs. By making these connections with her students, she ensures every student is engaged and excited to participate in learning.

She also fosters the love of learning outside of her classroom. Just like her parents years ago, Sanguino wants her students to know they can reach out to their community and reciprocate by giving back. Having her students participate in Career Day introduces them to a variety of organizations, programs, and of course, people who may someday employ them.

“My goal is to get a master’s degree and become a principal one day and even have my own school someday,” Sanguino said.

Sanguino has served Lancaster ISD in many ways for 20 years and counting. One of her dreams has come true, and she is already looking forward to the future. It’s what she does and it’s what she wants for her students, so she encourages them daily. She wants each of them to have a dream and the skills to make it come true. Yes, it can be done.