Jaime Escalante |
LOS ANGELES -- Famed math teacher, and subject of 1988 film 'Stand and Deliver,' Jaime Escalante, has died.
The Bolivian-born Escalante was 79 years old.
Family friend, Keith Miller, says Escalante died Tuesday in Reno, Nev., where he was undergoing treatment for bladder cancer.
Escalante transformed Garfield High School by motivating struggling students to tackle and excel at advanced math and science.
The school had more Advanced Placement calculus students than all but three other public high schools in the country.
While some dismissed the students as "unteachable," Escalante was able to reach them and help them live up to their potential.
He started an advanced mathematics program with a handful of students.
In 1982, his largest class of students took and passed an advanced placement test in Calculus.
Some of the students' test scores were invalidated by the testing company because it believed the students had cheated.
Escalante protested, saying the students had been disqualified because they were Hispanic and from a poor school.
A few months later, many of the students retook the test and passed.
Actor Edward James Olmos played Escalante in the film based on his story.
Olmos says Escalante proved that inner city students can perform at the highest levels, and left an important legacy for American education.
Last month, cast members from the 1988 movie based on the educator appealed for funds to help Escalante pay his medical bills.
Actress Vanessa Marquez, who appeared in "Stand and Deliver" says $5,000 has been raised so far, but $25,000 is needed.
Actor Edward James Olmos who portrayed Escalante in the film posted this message on his website:
www.edwardjamesolmos.com
"Anyone who has seen "Stand and Deliver" knows how much Jaime Escalante (Kimo) has done for this country. The love and dedication he gave to his inner city students, and his unfailing conviction that every one of them was "gifted," brought out talent that had been untapped – and unseen - by other teachers.
The genius that he awakened in the "unteachable" commanded the attention of the entire world. It caused countless educators to reconsider what their students might really be capable of if, like Kimo, they could awaken the "ganas" (desire) in them. Jaime didn't just teach math. Like all great teachers, he changed lives. Gang members became aerospace engineers. Kids who had spent their youth convinced their lives didn't matter discovered they were leaders.
Now, Kimo needs our help. He is seriously ill, and the treatment he needs has depleted all the funds his family can raise. They did not want to ask for help, but we took it upon ourselves to get the word out to all the country and around the world, to make his final days as comfortable as possible - and maybe even give him a chance to beat the cancer that has afflicted him.
I have been moved to tears to hear of the circumstances of this great man and am calling for a last National Understanding of his selfless contributions to "making a difference in this world."
Together, we have a chance to make a real difference in his life. I could not bear to think that we would do any less for one who has given so much for so long. You have my deepest appreciation for any and all prayers and help that you can give."
The Bolivian-born Escalante was 79 years old.
Family friend, Keith Miller, says Escalante died Tuesday in Reno, Nev., where he was undergoing treatment for bladder cancer.
Escalante transformed Garfield High School by motivating struggling students to tackle and excel at advanced math and science.
The school had more Advanced Placement calculus students than all but three other public high schools in the country.
While some dismissed the students as "unteachable," Escalante was able to reach them and help them live up to their potential.
He started an advanced mathematics program with a handful of students.
In 1982, his largest class of students took and passed an advanced placement test in Calculus.
Some of the students' test scores were invalidated by the testing company because it believed the students had cheated.
Escalante protested, saying the students had been disqualified because they were Hispanic and from a poor school.
A few months later, many of the students retook the test and passed.
Actor Edward James Olmos played Escalante in the film based on his story.
Olmos says Escalante proved that inner city students can perform at the highest levels, and left an important legacy for American education.
Last month, cast members from the 1988 movie based on the educator appealed for funds to help Escalante pay his medical bills.
Actress Vanessa Marquez, who appeared in "Stand and Deliver" says $5,000 has been raised so far, but $25,000 is needed.
Actor Edward James Olmos who portrayed Escalante in the film posted this message on his website:
www.edwardjamesolmos.com
"Anyone who has seen "Stand and Deliver" knows how much Jaime Escalante (Kimo) has done for this country. The love and dedication he gave to his inner city students, and his unfailing conviction that every one of them was "gifted," brought out talent that had been untapped – and unseen - by other teachers.
The genius that he awakened in the "unteachable" commanded the attention of the entire world. It caused countless educators to reconsider what their students might really be capable of if, like Kimo, they could awaken the "ganas" (desire) in them. Jaime didn't just teach math. Like all great teachers, he changed lives. Gang members became aerospace engineers. Kids who had spent their youth convinced their lives didn't matter discovered they were leaders.
Now, Kimo needs our help. He is seriously ill, and the treatment he needs has depleted all the funds his family can raise. They did not want to ask for help, but we took it upon ourselves to get the word out to all the country and around the world, to make his final days as comfortable as possible - and maybe even give him a chance to beat the cancer that has afflicted him.
I have been moved to tears to hear of the circumstances of this great man and am calling for a last National Understanding of his selfless contributions to "making a difference in this world."
Together, we have a chance to make a real difference in his life. I could not bear to think that we would do any less for one who has given so much for so long. You have my deepest appreciation for any and all prayers and help that you can give."
