Sonja Butler Hayes
Upper School HistorySonja teaches in the Upper School history department, including History 9: Foundations of Modern America, and electives The Civil Rights Movement and From Out of the Margins: Women in History.
Sonja attends Upper School Black Female Forum meetings and partners with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to allow students in her electives to plan and participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. assemblies for Lower and Middle School.
Prior to coming to Park, Sonja has worked as a US history teacher, librarian, Upper School equity and inclusion coordinator, and has served in a number of leadership roles in committees throughout her teaching career. She has participated in and presented at various conferences and workshops such as the People of Color Conference, National Diversity Practitioners Institute, International Dyslexia Association, Texas Library Association, Association of Independent School Librarians, and Region 10 Education Center. Sonja has over 15 years of experience working with learning differences.
Sonja holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in History and an M.S. in Mass Communication from Southern University and A&M College, an M.L.I.S. from Louisiana State University, and a Graduate Academic Certificate in Youth Services from University of North Texas.
“I hope that my passion of working with historical archives and research as well as a speaker on various historical events will continue as the truth must be told of all historical events past and present! Although I am an African American female teacher in the Upper School at Park, I am most proud of being a single mom to my amazing student athlete, Ananias! He will change the world not only through his study of psychology, but in volleyball!”
