From Student to Educator - Touro Holmes Scholars Forum - 8th Cohort 10.15.2026
Join us for the Touro Holmes Scholars Forum with Sonia Uzhca, M. S., Special Education Social Studies High School Teacher, Holmes Scholar Alumnae
The presentation is about a mindset shift that occurs during the transformation from student to teacher. The focus is on overcoming obstacles and moving away from relishing personal academic success to developing patience, kindness, and empathy for the academic success of others while evaluating instructional strategies, mentorship, and the needs of students as an aspiring, self-reflective educator.
About the Presenter
Sonia Uzhca earned her Master of Science Degree in Teaching Students with Disabilities, Grades 7-12 from Touro University’s Graduate School of Education. She has Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from the University of Mount Saint Vincent. Sonia is a Special Education/Social Studies Teacher in the ICT setting at Newtown High School in Queens, New York. She became a Holmes Scholar in the summer of 2025. After her one-year of commitment to the program, she is now a Holmes Scholar Alumnae. Sonia was born and raised in New York City in a Spanish-speaking [Ecuadorian] household. Of her family experiences, she said, “I am proud to be the first educator in my family and to serve as a role model for my younger siblings and for my community.” She found her passion for teaching through family situations and circumstances. “From an early age,” Sonia reflected, “I discovered my passion for helping others learn. As a child, I supported my siblings with their homework, and as a teenager, I helped my cousin prepare for the GED exam, which she successfully passed.” When Sonia became an adult, she was on her way to becoming a teacher as she stated, “I guided my youngest brother with autism in his education. This experience is what really deepened my commitment to the teaching profession.”
The Holmes Scholars Forums provide an opportunity to engage with educational leaders, researchers, and practitioners as they share insights on teaching, leadership, and professional growth. These interactive virtual sessions are designed to spark conversation, encourage reflection, and connect attendees with innovative ideas that can strengthen their impact in schools and communities.
Open to all candidates, educators, faculty, and education professionals. Everyone is welcome to attend.
