Sandra Kronītis-Sīpols

Sandra Kronītis-Sīpols, a first generation American Latvian, was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but subsequently lived in the Detroit, Michigan area as well as Lancaster, Pennsylvania before moving to Boston in 2003. She is an educator, having received her Bachelor's degree in biology and psychology from the College of Wooster and graduate work at Michigan State University.  Her life's work and passion has been devoted to the education of youth, both Latvian and American, as a teacher, administrator and strategist. Her interest in Baltic films and filmmaking was sparked during time spent in Latvia the last few years.

Sandra has served on numerous high school and college advisory boards and is currently vice-president of the Inly School Board of Trustees (2008-), a progressive PreK -8 independent school where ideation of innovative educational concepts and strategy create an exciting learning environment. Sandra is also beginning her eleventh year as director of the Latvian Center Gaŗezers Summer High School in Three Rivers, Michigan, where she is challenged to meet the educational needs of today's generation of North American youth of Latvian heritage and is excited by new collaborative efforts with different ministries in the Republic of Latvia.  She is past chair of the Baltic Nations Committee of Michigan where she collaborated both politically and culturally with a variety of leaders for more than fifteen years. She is the recipient of several awards and commendations from the American Latvian Association, the Latvian Center Gaŗezers, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science.  She is the proud mother of three daughters, enjoys volunteer work in the Boston area, listening to Latvian music and playing the Latvian instrument kokle, piano and harp. 

Sandra has been the BBFF Panel Discussion Moderator in 2019, 2022 and 2023.