About me
With over a decade of hands-on experience in education, Angela Dancheva (she/her/ella) is a dedicated professional who has served students from all backgrounds, with a special focus on underrepresented, low-income, and at-risk youth. Her journey has been defined by a passion for social justice and a commitment to empowering students to become catalysts for positive change in their communities. As a former educator in Santa Clara Unified and a teacher librarian in East Side Union High School District, she has developed social justice curricula that integrate critical race theory with project-based learning to enhance students' academic skills and civic engagement. Currently, she serves as an Executive Board Member of the Santa Clara Schools Foundation (SCSF), supporting programs and initiatives that promote academic excellence and address the diverse needs of students in SCUSD. Born and raised in Los Ángeles, California, Angela relocated to the Bay Area in 2011 to pursue a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she was awarded the UC Berkeley Golden Bear Scholarship. During her undergraduate years, Angela worked as an Archives Technician at Bancroft Library and a Course Reserves Specialist at Moffitt Library. She later earned her Single Subject Teaching Credential from San José State University, where she received the Ada Louise Watters Scholarship for her innovative project-based learning (PBL) and social-emotional learning (SEL) instruction. In 2018, Angela was recognized as an Esther Wojcicki Advanced Teaching Fellow at Stanford University for leading student campaigns that promote equity and inclusion. In addition to her roles in education, Angela has valuable experience in conflict resolution, educational consulting, and leading training workshops, particularly in SEL and DEI. One of her core initiatives involves establishing and revitalizing literacy centers within public school libraries, working closely with student body organizations, staff, and district leaders to create vibrant spaces that inspire a love for learning and reading. Angela is also published in the Student Research Journal for her work on the information-seeking behaviors of Black first-generation college women at predominantly white institutions (PWIs), outlining strategies for LIS professionals and library systems to create inclusive and empowering learning spaces. Angela is enthusiastic about collaborating with schools to achieve their goals, focusing on creating inclusive and supportive environments that foster growth and success for all students.