Robert M. Ruiz
Superintendent
Robert M. Ruiz is a pivotal leader in Oklahoma’s educational and community landscape, currently serving as the Executive Director of Puentes y Puertas Dual-Language Community School, one of the state’s first dual-language community schools designed to serve Hispanic and multilingual families. In this role, he oversees the launch and growth of the school, guiding its academic, operational, and financial development, and building strategic partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability. Puentes y Puertas is set to become a model for bilingual education and community-driven school design in Oklahoma. Previously, Robert was the Chief Innovation and Technology Officer and Executive Director of External Affairs at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), where he directed strategic initiatives at one of the state’s largest higher education institutions serving 18,000 students. His leadership strengthened OCCC’s technology infrastructure, community partnerships, and cultural programming, including major milestone events such as the 50th Anniversary Celebration and the Investiture of President Mautra Staley Jones. He also helped secure an $8 million in-kind grant from Cisco Systems to advance the college’s technology capacity. As the former President of Scissortail Community Development Corporation, Robert championed educational equity and economic development, establishing new school models, scholarships, and professional development programs for underserved communities. He has been a driving force in cultural and economic empowerment—authoring the business plan for Oklahoma’s first state-certified retail business incubator, spearheading efforts to establish a permanent Mexican consulate in Oklahoma, and helping design Oklahoma’s first Latino-created financial institution.
Robert’s community impact extends through cultural placemaking and events. He has organized landmark festivals, including Fiestas Patrias OKC, OKC Cinco de Mayo, the Anita Martinez Mariachi Festival, and the Norman Music Festival, using culture as both a celebration and an engine of economic growth. Through ENYE Music, which he co-founded with his wife Wilmari, Robert continues to manage Mariachi Orgullo de América, produce music, and create cultural programming that strengthens Oklahoma’s arts landscape. His board service reflects a broad commitment: Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Oklahoma Virtual Preparatory Academy, KIPP OKC, Sunbeam Family Services, Latino Community Development Agency, Allegiance Credit Union, and as a Trustee for EMBARK. Robert’s resilience as a stage IV cancer survivor adds depth and inspiration to his leadership journey. His contributions have earned widespread recognition, including being named to The Journal Record’s Power List of Leaders in Non-Profits (2024), inclusion among the 100 Most Powerful Oklahomans (OKC Friday, 2021), and the Governor’s Arts Award for Community Service (2019).
His expertise spans curriculum design, language acquisition, literacy development, assessment systems, instructional leadership, and organizational capacity building. He has collaborated extensively with school districts, universities, state education agencies, and national education organizations to strengthen bilingual education and expand opportunities for multilingual learners.
Among his many contributions to the field, Ronald played a key role in the development of Wisconsin's Seal of Biliteracy, helping establish statewide recognition for students who demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages. His leadership has influenced educator preparation, bilingual program design, and instructional best practices that continue to impact schools serving diverse communities.
At Puentes y Puertas, Ronald is leading the development of the school's innovative 80/20 two-way dual-language instructional model, curriculum alignment, bilingual assessment framework, literacy systems, instructional coaching program, and the PYP Teaching Academy. Working alongside Superintendent Robert M. Ruiz and the founding leadership team, he is helping create a school where bilingualism, biliteracy, academic excellence, and cultural identity are woven into every aspect of the student experience.
Ronald holds a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction along with educational leadership credentials from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to the belief that multilingualism is an asset and that schools have the power to transform lives by creating environments where every child, family, language, and culture is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Ronald Sandoval
Founding Academic Leader and Director of Teaching and Learning
Ronald Sandoval is an accomplished bilingual education leader with more than 25 years of experience designing, implementing, and leading innovative dual-language and multilingual education programs across the United States and internationally. As the Founding Academic Leader and Director of Teaching and Learning for Puentes y Puertas Dual-Language Community School, he is responsible for developing the school's academic vision, curriculum, instructional systems, teacher development programs, and bilingual learning model as the school prepares to welcome its inaugural class in Fall 2027.
Throughout his career, Ronald has served in leadership roles at the school, district, state, and international levels, providing strategic direction for bilingual education, biliteracy initiatives, curriculum development, instructional coaching, and educator professional learning. His work has focused on building high-quality dual-language programs that produce strong academic outcomes while honoring students' languages, cultures, and identities.
Ronald has led the implementation of districtwide bilingual and multilingual education initiatives, supported international teacher recruitment and development, and served as the founding principal of a bilingual school in Kuwait.