Monica Hernandez

I'm an El Paso, TX native, and I earned my BSW with a minor in Sociology from UTEP before completing my MSW at OLLU-San Antonio, where I specialized in working with Hispanic children and families. My background includes 20 years as a school social worker and family engagement specialist, three years as a case coordinator for unaccompanied minors under ORR with GDIT, and a year as a medical social worker at Bienvivir All-Inclusive Senior Health Services. I bring together my love of social work with my love for dance. As director of Expressions Dance Academy in El Paso, TX, I use music and dance as tools to help people learn to cope, relax, destress, and navigate life's difficulties. I believe deeply in the power of motivation and validation, and my strengths lie in working with young adults, adults, and families. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I'm currently continuing my education toward a choreographer certification through the Juilliard School's Dance Choreography Extension Program. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as my framework, and I believe everyone deserves the chance to pursue their dreams, because hope will always prevail. My life motto: Faith over Fear.