Purpose
Niltze. No toca Aki’Nene. Nicempaqui nimitzixmati.
In Nahuatl, one of my ancestral languages, this transliterates to:
“Hello, my ceremonial name is Aki’Nene. It is nice to see your face and know your heart.”
It is my great honor to teach in Yanawana, which refers to the San Antonio River as the source of life for my community.
I share this to orient us relationally, geographically, historically, and epistemologically to the land itself, and to the Indigenous ways of knowing and being that are the foundation of who I am and of the work I do in service of my communities.
Research, Teaching, and Service
Below, you’ll find a graphic organizer that highlights how each area of focus is inter-related, interdisciplinary, and supports teaching and learning at all age levels.
My work is guided by deep relational solidarity and acompañamiento, or the practices of walking alongside one another, making space for differences, and working toward a common goal of healed and hopeful futures. I draw from my years as a middle school teacher, museum educator, and curriculum developer to inform everything I do: research, teaching, scholarship, and organizing.
At UTSA, I teach future teachers, mentor graduate students, and collaborate with communities across Texas. I'm also deeply committed to building ethnic studies for all learners by advocating for curriculum that is authentic, accurate, and honors the many communities that have contributed to our shared history.
When I'm not in the classroom or at my desk, you'll likely find me practicing drone aerial photography out in nature, painting with watercolors, or out in the garden.