Steven Santoyo

Steven's Bio

Steven Santoyo is an Associate at Arete Public Affairs, where he specializes in K-12 education policy, regulatory strategy, legislative analysis, and stakeholder engagement. With substantial experience bridging policy and practice, Steven helps clients translate statute and agency rule into clear requirements, anticipate implementation challenges, and design communications and coalition strategies aligned with real school and district needs.

Before joining Arete, Steven served as Policy Analyst for the Texas Senate Committee on Education (K-16), where he played a central role in analyzing more than 150 education-related bills and preparing materials for committee hearings, floor debate, and leadership briefings. He contributed to the development and passage of major legislation — notably early literacy, numeracy, teacher-preparation, and retention initiatives — as part of a historic school funding package. In that role, he worked closely with the Texas Education Agency, school districts, advocacy organizations, and legislative offices to align policy with classroom realities and to advise on amendment negotiations, implementation implications, and stakeholder feedback.

Prior to his legislative work, Steven taught Honors English at Hillcrest High School and led English, language arts, reading, and journalism classes at Gaston Middle School in Dallas ISD. He also served as instructional coach, and during that period he was honored with a Leadership & Dedication Award and nominated as a Teacher-of-the-Year finalist. Earlier, he worked with Teach For America and served as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C., where he developed an early understanding of federal policy, legislative process, and constituent engagement.

Steven has also consulted with philanthropic and advocacy organizations on strategic partnerships, program design, and policy alignment, and has participated in leadership and cohort programs such as Austin ISD’s UpClose initiative. He has taught as an undergraduate assistant at the University of Texas, led student organizations, and supported community outreach work.

Steven holds a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School at The University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Education from Southern Methodist University, and a B.S. in Communication Studies from UT Austin. Based in Austin, he remains actively engaged in educator networks, youth and diabetes advocacy (through his founder work), church and community service, and statewide efforts to elevate public-school voices and outcomes.