Ana Cortez: Championing Equitable Education Through Immigrant Roots

From Bilingual Suppression to Board President: Ana Cortez’s Journey to Educational Leadership

ana Cortez, often called “la pequeña tejanita,” vividly recalls the silent struggles of her childhood as the daughter of Mexican immigrants in Texas. Born in Hearn, her home was a sanctuary of Spanish, a stark contrast to the public schools where the language was not just discouraged, but punishable.

“We couldn’t use buses to go to school,” Cortez shares, her voice resonating with the weight of memory.”That was because it was Latin. That district did not take us to school. We had to find families that would take us.” The echo of the “rod” – the punishment for speaking Spanish in class – remains a sharp reminder of the exclusionary practices.

For decades, texas law enforced a discriminatory policy, prohibiting the use of Spanish in public schools. While the bilingual Education Law was enacted in 1969, its implementation was met with important resistance, leaving many like Ana navigating a system that sought to erase their linguistic heritage.

cortez learned to speak English as a means of self-preservation, but the injustice fueled a deep-seated desire for change. “My parents were immigrants, they had no education,” she explains. “They had to get us out of school two months before to go to the north to work in the work,with the hoe. And my dad told me… ‘Mija, if you do not grab an education, this is where you will come to work.’ And I told myself, no, never.”

Beyond the educational barriers, societal stereotypes further challenged her aspirations. “They told me that I could be nothing more than a secretary,” she recalls, a flicker of the old fire igniting in her eyes. “And that is something else that the fire turned on… there, they will see.”

Today, that young girl who felt marginalized stands as a testament to resilience and determination. Ana Cortez is now the President of the Manor District School Board, a pivotal figure in Texas’s educational landscape, driven by the unwavering mission to create pathways for girls who share her background.

Her message to those facing adversity is one of empowerment: “Every time someone tells you ‘you can’t do that,’ use that like a fire,passion,to do what they don’t think you can do. It’s what I have done.And nothing is impractical.”

A especially poignant moment for Cortez was at a recent graduation ceremony. “You never speak a lot of Spanish… when I started speaking Spanish, as I am the president, everyone began to applaud, they got excited,” she recounts, a smile spreading across her face. “Something so simple… with saying ‘good morning,’ everyone applauded.”

Cortez concludes with a powerful statement of pride and belonging: “We are no longer the minority-corner. We are already part of the majority. It is indeed very critically important to know that, embrace it… it is our investment.” Her journey embodies a profound shift, celebrating the rich tapestry of a community that has overcome historical suppression to claim its rightful place.

This interview is part of Hola News Austin’s special series,”women who inspire,possible dreams.”

How did Ana Cortez’s personal experiences influence her career path in education?

From Immigrant Experience to Educational Advocacy

ana Cortez’s journey is a powerful testament to teh impact of lived experience on educational leadership. Born to immigrant parents, her early schooling highlighted the systemic barriers faced by English Language Learners (ELL) and students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. This firsthand understanding fueled a lifelong commitment to equitable education, becoming a driving force behind her advocacy work and innovative programs.Cortez’s story isn’t just personal; it reflects the broader challenges and opportunities within the American education system for immigrant communities.

The Early Years: Recognizing Systemic Disparities

Cortez’s parents immigrated to the United States seeking better opportunities, but quickly encountered the hurdles many immigrant families face – language barriers, cultural adjustments, and navigating a complex educational landscape for thier children. Observing the disparities in resources and support available to her and her peers compared to native English speakers sparked a critical awareness.

Limited Access to Resources: Many schools lacked sufficient bilingual educators,culturally relevant curriculum,and specialized support services for ELL students.

Cultural Misunderstandings: A lack of cultural sensitivity among educators sometimes led to misinterpretations of student behavior and learning styles.

Parental Involvement Challenges: Language barriers and unfamiliarity with the American school system frequently enough hindered meaningful parental involvement.

These early observations shaped Cortez’s academic pursuits, leading her to study bilingual education and educational policy. She understood that addressing these issues required systemic change, not just individual interventions.

Pioneering Programs for English Language Learners

Cortez’s career has been defined by the development and implementation of innovative programs designed to support ELL students and promote cultural responsiveness in schools.

Dual Language Immersion Programs

A key focus has been advocating for and establishing dual language immersion programs. These programs, where instruction is delivered in both English and another language, have proven highly effective in fostering academic achievement and bilingualism.

Benefits of Dual Language Immersion: Research demonstrates improved cognitive skills, enhanced cultural understanding, and increased opportunities for future success.

Implementation Challenges: Successful implementation requires dedicated funding, qualified bilingual teachers, and strong community support.

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy

Cortez champions culturally relevant pedagogy, an approach that recognizes the importance of incorporating students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences into the learning process. This includes:

1. Using culturally diverse materials and examples in instruction.
2. Creating a classroom habitat that values and respects all cultures.
3. Building relationships with students and families based on trust and understanding.

Advocacy for Policy Change: A Voice for Immigrant Students

Beyond her work within schools, cortez has been a vocal advocate for policy changes that support immigrant students at the local, state, and national levels.

fighting for Increased Funding

She consistently lobbies for increased funding for programs that serve ELL students, including bilingual education, language support services, and professional development for teachers. Education funding equity remains a central theme in her advocacy.

Challenging Discriminatory Practices

Cortez actively challenges discriminatory practices that disproportionately impact immigrant students, such as exclusionary discipline policies and biased standardized testing. She emphasizes the importance of restorative justice practices and culturally sensitive assessment methods.

Supporting Parent Engagement

Recognizing the crucial role of parental involvement, Cortez has spearheaded initiatives to empower immigrant parents to become active participants in their children’s education. This includes:

Providing language translation services at school events.

Offering workshops on navigating the American school system.

Creating opportunities for parents to share their cultural knowledge and experiences with teachers and students.

The Impact of Ana Cortez’s Work: Real-World Examples

The impact of Cortez’s work is evident in the success stories of countless students and the positive changes she has brought to schools and communities.

increased Graduation Rates: Schools implementing her programs have seen significant increases in graduation rates among ELL students.

Improved Academic Performance: Students in dual language immersion programs consistently outperform their peers on standardized tests.

Stronger community Relationships: Her efforts to engage immigrant parents have fostered stronger relationships between schools and the communities they serve.

Resources for Educators and Advocates

For educators and advocates seeking to champion equitable education for immigrant students, Cortez recommends the following resources:

National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE): https://www.nabe.org/

Colorín Colorado: https://www.colorincolorado.org/

Migration Policy Institute: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/

These organizations provide valuable information, resources, and professional development opportunities for those working to support immigrant students and families. Immigrant student success is a collective duty.