Association of Mexican American Educators

State of California

Dia Del Maestro

Day of the Teacher

 

"Dia del Maestro/ Day of the Teacher" will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 12, 2004  This special day of observance was established to honor our teachers and the teaching profession in California.

 

Twenty-two years ago, AMAE, (Association of Mexican American Educators) sponsored the bill proclaiming "Dia del Maestro / Day of the Teacher." Senator Joseph Montoya (D-El Monte) wrote the bill. It was adopted in 1982 as Senate Bill 1546.  AMAE wanted California to celebrate this day as is it traditionally observed in Mexico and in other Latin American countries.

 

This year, Dia del Maestro takes on a very special significance as we observe the national 50^th anniversary of the landmark decision, Brown v. the Board of Education, 1954.

 

To learn more about this case… and how California Latinos paved the way for this case, go to:

  "We Always Tell Our Children They are American;" Mendes v. Westminster and the California Road to Brown v. Board of Education…. http://www.collegeboard.com/about/news_info/publications.html. Also in Education Week, Mar.10, 2004 "Chicago Hispanics Fight for Good Schools", www.edweek.org (scroll down to Brown at 50, The Unfulfilled Promise" , register to receive the article).

 

While Latino drop out rates rise, and the numbers of immigrant and Latino students increase in our overcrowded and under-resourced schools, our state faces staggering budget deficits that threaten to undermine any progress in our classrooms.  Yet, as educators we do what has to be done.  We teach, we reclaim the curriculum, reconstruct the learning and rebuild success in the classrooms for our students.  More than ever, teaching remains the most important vocation there is in America's present and future.

 

Join us in celebrating and honoring the teachers of California.  This years' poster was created by an up and coming talented artist in Los Angeles, Jose Ramirez.  Jose is also a 2^nd grade teacher at Esperanza Elementary School, situated in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.  His art reflects first hand the day to day challenges of teaching in an urban environment, where newcomers into the United States enroll on daily basis.  To learn more about the artist and his work log on to: http://www.ramirezart.com .