Last Resort Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Legendary Garfield High teacher Jaime Escalante, subject of the 1988 film "Stand and Deliver," has died. He was 79. Vanessa Marquez, an actress and friend of Escalante's who held a fundraiser for Escalante, said he died at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at his home in Sacramento with his family at his side. Escalante had moved to Sacramento to be closer to Reno, Nevada, where he was undergoing treatment for bladder cancer. Escalante is credited with transforming Garfield High's math program in the 1980s. He taught advanced mathematics and science at the school, and was famous for getting struggling students to do well in those subjects. According to the Associated Press, the school had more Advanced Placement calculus students than all but three other public high schools in the country. Escalante was originally from Bolivia. Edward James Olmos played Escalante in the film "Stand and Deliver," which was based on Escalante's life. James A. Garfield Senior High School posted a statement on its Web site and on its Facebook page: "Jaime Escalante has passed away. Our condolences to his family. He will forever live in our hearts and memories. The entire Garfield community and East L.A. extends our gratitude to God for allowing Mr. Escalante to grace us with his love and kindness." Ramon Cortines, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which Garfield High is part of, issued a statement Tuesday: "The entire LAUSD family today mourns the loss of Jaime Escalante, one of the finest educators this District has had the privilege to work with. During his tenure at Garfield High School many of our students excelled in learning, aspired to a higher education and went on to become very successful in various careers. Today, they are living testaments to a teacher who demonstrated how high expectations, coupled with constant support, can overcome obstacles to a quality education. He will be missed." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beebop Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Sad news. He was one of the good guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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