By David Ball
The Port Arthur News
PORT ARTHUR
May 06, 2008 08:29 pm
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Television’s Judge Greg Mathis kicked off the motivational workshops for the Youth of Port Arthur last summer. Now, Jaime Escalante of “Stand and Deliver” fame will come to town to deliver his motivational message for the city of Port Arthur’s Community Prosecution Program and Teen Court.
Organizer Val Tizeno, the first assistant city attorney for the city, said Escalante’s visit is part of a series of workshops done throughout the year for Teen Court.
“Mr. Escalante is known by many as one of the greatest teachers in America. His message is that all children can excel in education,” Tizeno said.
She added that the workshops are designed to inspire kids so that they can accomplish anything.
“You just have to believe in yourself. It’s a motivational program for the children of Port Arthur. They can hear about his experiences and do anything. Kids need to know they can do it,” Tizeno said.
Tizeno cited as an example of kids doing anything they’re determined to do to Escalante teaching calculus.
According to his biography, “Jaime Escalante is a remarkable man — a high school teacher whose students, underprivileged and Hispanic, have set standards in mathematics all but unequaled in American education.”
Escalante is originally from Bolivia and teaches mathematics at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. The film “Stand and Deliver” debuted in 1988 and tells his story how he motivated his students at their poorly funded and violence-ridden school in horrible working conditions and became the seventh ranked school in the country in calculus. In 1999 he was officially inducted into the Teachers Hall of Fame.
“We’re urging people to come out and anybody can come. We’ll air the movie beforehand,” Tizeno said. “We’re encouraging teachers and especially math teachers and those who work with kids to attend. And I think he’ll give some inspiring words to teachers, too.
The program will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 14 at Port Arthur City Hall on the 5th Floor, City Hall Chambers, 444 Fourth St.
Val Tizeno said to RSVP her, or to request more information call her at 983-8127, by e-mail at val@portarthur.net.
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Photos
Associated Press