Faculty Feature - Dr. Taucia González
Dr. Taucia González
Associate Professor, Disability and Psychoeducational Studies
Dr. Taucia González is an Associate Professor of special education in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies. The recipient of multiple high-profile awards, Dr. González was recognized with the Early Career Scholar Award from the American Educational Research Association’s Latina/o/x Research Issues SIG and the 2023 Early Career Award from the Division for Culturally Diverse Exceptional Learners, a division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. González is widely regarded as an exemplary educator who co-creates meaningful learning environments with students. In light of her exceptional work in this regard, Dr. González was recently recognized with the 2025 Provost Award for Innovation in Teaching, an award acknowledging outstanding faculty who excel at furthering student success in and beyond the classroom at UA. Drawing from over two decades of experience working in and with Latina/o/x communities as an educator, Dr. González’s research focuses on equity for emergent bilingual youth with and without learning disabilities. Dr. González’s current research explores the use of testimonios as a strategy for Latina/o/x and Hmong bilingual youth with and without learning disabilities to address and rewrite inequitable educational experiences.
"I draw inspiration from children and youth. They are the reason most of us are here in the COE. We have seen the joy, magic, hope, and resistance that they can contribute to our educational systems and world."
Who do you draw inspiration from and why?
I draw inspiration from children and youth. They are the reason most of us are here in the COE. We have seen the joy, magic, hope, and resistance that they can contribute to our educational systems and world. I look to their spirit and vibrancy to sustain the collective work forward.
What are one or two accomplishments of which you are most proud?
There are two accomplishments I am especially proud of. Earning my PhD reshaped not only my professional path but also my sense of what was possible for my life. Learning/reclaiming Spanish as my heritage language is an accomplishment that shapes my scholarship and my connection to my family and communities.
"Learning/reclaiming Spanish as my heritage language is an accomplishment that shapes my scholarship and my connection to my family and communities."
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Nothing is done individually even when it appears that way. Build community and together you can sustain the trials and celebrate the successes. The failures are part of the journey, but you don't have to face them alone.
What is something you are working on currently that you’re excited about?
I am extremely excited to be relaunching the Verano en México study program with my co-lead, Dr. Ruth López. This is an opportunity for us to support student learning in a context rich in history and culture.
