Sonja Hayes

Sonja Butler-Hayes, history teacher and history department chair, holds a B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in Mass Communications from Southern University A&M College, an MLIS in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University, and a graduate certificate in Youth Services from the University of North Texas. Sonja has worked in education and libraries for over 23 years, with 14 of those years working at the Shelton School in Dallas, Texas, where she served as a middle school advisor, teacher, and librarian. Her love of working with archives and research has allowed Sonja to combine her passion of history, reading, and storytelling to give her students a new perspective in learning. Among other recognitions, she was selected to be a member in the Researching Silent Heroes assigned to the Vietnam War cohort (sponsored by National History Day), to serve on the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association Projects & Recognition Committee (2025-2027), to be a member of the National Council for Social Studies, and has served on the Educator Advisory Committee for the National World War II Museum. In her spare time, Sonja enjoys visiting museums, listening to music, sitting at the beach, and in winter sitting by a wood-burning fireplace reading.

Why I Teach At Siena: I believe that part of my role as an educator is to assist students in believing in their own abilities, no matter the task. When we believe, we can accomplish anything.