Together We…Dance Ballet Folklorico
Dance, Think Together, sleep, repeat! Blanca Silva has dedicated the last eight years to trying to perfect her craft. Starting as a Program Leader, she continued to move forward in her career and is now an Associate Director, Program Excellence for the Bay Area. Blanca made sure to become a pro in every position to ensure the Bay Area region is putting their community first and leading with a team mindset. Learn more about Bianca’s career trajectory below.
What is your Think Together “why?” What inspired you to work at Think Together?
What inspires me to work at Think Together is the difference we make for the students who attend the program and the communities we build. When I was a Program Leader, I wanted to work with students to teach dance, and I ended up loving being able to support students in an afterschool capacity to ensure they are meeting academic goals. I was very fortunate that Think together offers room for growth.
What would be the theme song to your life?
The theme song for my life is by Marc Anthony: “Vivir Mi Vida.” I picked this song because Marc Anthony is one of my favorite artists and the song translates to “live my life.” It’s important to enjoy the journey whether the road is bumpy or smooth.
Flashback to five years ago, did you envision your career at Think Together as it is today?
Five years ago, I was extremely comfortable in my role as a Site Coordinator. My site was excelling with back-to-back successful site visits. However, my General Manager pushed me to take the next step as a Quality Assurance Coach. I could never have envisioned how much I have loved and enjoyed my roles and building my career with Think Together.
You recently were recognized as one of the Unsung Heroes by Congressmember Alex Lee. Can you tell me how this happened and what this means to you?
I was one out of 27 recognized by Congressmember Alex Lee as an Unsung Hero. This annual event recognizes leaders in the community who are making a difference in small and big ways. Sofia Basilio, Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, nominated me because of the work I do as an afterschool professional and for the volunteer dance lessons I teach at Schilling Elementary School in Newark. It was an honor to see so many others supporting and making a difference in the community, and I was very proud to represent my community and Think Together.
What was your favorite memory when you went to school?
In high school, I was enrolled in our dance team and the opportunities that came from that created such positive memories. I have had the opportunity to teach dances like folklorico, cumbia, merengue, salsa and banda. I enjoyed competitive dance so much and even won first place in a showcase called Ritmo Latino! This was a huge win for me and something I think about fondly.
Tell us something about your region or team that not many Thinkers would know about.
My region and I call ourselves the East Bay Thinkers! Something I like to cascade to my team is that we are not only a district team, but a regional team. If any other district needs support, I want to ensure my team is demonstrating their leadership skills. If I ask, I know my team will jump in and support in any way they can. Each SPM creates a sense of community and belonging for their staff and their students, and the teams really enjoy their jobs and run successful programs. Our self-made nickname keeps everyone’s morale up and creates a sense of team.
If you could join any tv show in the universe, which one would it be and why?
I would love to be an actress in the telenovela, Maria la del Barrio. I enjoy watching telenovelas and when one ends, a new one begins. I am obsessed and enjoy watching and laughing at the dramatic scenes. It reminds me that even though there may be some moments in our personal life when things may be tough, there’s always a solution to any problem.
Do you have a student story that has stuck with you?
My eight years at Think Together have brought a lot of student stories but my favorite one to tell is how some of my previous students have now become Program Leaders in the same community they started in as students. I really enjoy the full circle moment because now they are giving back to their community and working with the same friends they grew up with.
Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
Outside of work, I love to teach dance, specifically ballet folklorico. After my shift, I teach at one of the schools for the districts we support, and I get to work with many of our students from multiple sites, from elementary to middle school. I have a passion for teaching dance and enjoy choreographing routines,.
