Dr. Sania Ali brings more than 15 years of experience in teaching, instructional coaching, school improvement, teacher leadership development, and educational leadership and policy to her role as lead learning designer.
Before joining Holdsworth, Sania served as area director of academics in the teaching and learning department at Round Rock ISD. She led teams of instructional coaches, designed and facilitated professional learning, coached campus leaders, partnered with principal supervisors and led large-scale, district-wide projects. She also launched I LEAD: Teacher Leadership Academy, created specifically for teachers in leadership positions on their respective campuses. Teacher leaders in the cohort focused on both personal and professional leadership, leading to promotion for many in the cohort and increased interest in leadership from within the teaching ranks.
Sania began her career in education as a high school science teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada, and continued in Round Rock, Texas. After five years in the classroom, she took on a new role coaching science teachers to help them deliver aligned, rigorous and equitable learning experiences for students. Student achievement levels rose and Sania was promoted to associate director of school improvement at another high school.
Sania holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from West Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from The University of Texas at Arlington and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from The University of Texas at Austin’s Cooperative Superintendency Program (Hook’em Horns). Sania is also a proud alumnus of The Holdsworth Center’s District Leadership Program, which she credits for her growth in personal leadership and gaining the skills and tools to grow and lead others in public schools.
Outside of work, Sania spends her time with her family and enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and baking. She secretly wants to be on the show “Chopped” to test out her culinary skills.