Educators Honored for Helping Latinos

Though their contributions are diverse--from creating a university preparation project for community college students to having a knack for spreading enthusiasm--the seven educators honored Friday by the Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund all have one thing in common.

“They are doing extraordinary things in the classroom,” said attorney Ruben Smith, one of the group’s founders and a co-chair. “They spend a lot of time with the kids, not just helping them with the basics but guiding and counseling them about career opportunities. The award is for those teachers who are going beyond working 9 to 5.”

The seven were honored at HEEF’s annual dinner, a fund-raiser that organizers hope will help them meet their goal of $2.5 million by 2000. Since HEEF was founded in 1994, the organization has given 150 scholarships to Latino college students. Next year, organizers hope to give 100 scholarships, Smith said at the awards ceremony, held this year at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine.

One of the reasons the fund was established, Smith said, was because 40% of the children enrolled in Orange County’s public schools are Latino, yet only 1 in 10 of them complete four years of college.

“If we don’t invest now, the price we pay later will be greater,” he said.

For excellence in teaching, HEEF honored Irma Hornung, a reading resource teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Anaheim; Antonio Valle, a special-education teacher at Sonora High School in La Habra; Robert Torres, a computer teacher at Loara High School in Anaheim; and Marguerite Albanez and Mary Castellanos, founders of the Latina Student Center at Santa Ana College.

Therese Mosqueda-Ponce, co-coordinator of the Puente Program at Cypress College, was recognized for her leadership in creating a university preparation project for Orange County community college students. HEEF also honored Armando R. Ruiz, a trustee of the Coast Community College District and vice president of student services at Irvine Valley College.

Hornung, who has been a teacher for 37 years, said she wants her students to be challenged the way she was after immigrating from Mexico when she was 5 years old.

“My father never asked his daughters, ‘Do you want to go to college?’ but rather, ‘Where do you want to go, and what are you going to major in?’ These are the same hopes I have for my students.”

Hornung said she came across a motto recently that sums up her philosophy of teaching: “This classroom welcomes all, embraces each, supports everyone and hopes that you find yourself better for having been here.”

While the honorees do not have to be Latino, the educators are recognized for their contributions to Latino students. Those chosen are nominated by students, peers and supervisors.

“The awards go to those who have contributed to the development of students and to their intellectual success,” said Manuel N. Gomez, vice chancellor of student affairs at UC Irvine and a HEEF founder. “Quite often, it’s been the case that they’ve been unsung heroes.”