The Fifth Period: Decade '80 Epoca Nuestra
The Decade of the Hispanic was ushered in with great hopes and expectations. The first half of the decade so far has yet to provide any significant historical signposts of AMAE. Are we, as an organization, succeeding in this Decade? You answer is as good as mine. I think we saw gains by individuals who were achieving success and we know that many have used AMAE as a viable reference. In that sense, AMAE is fulfilling one of its original purposes and therefore it is succeeding. Let me quote that 1965 purpose:
"To develop among its educators an awareness of the opportunities in the field of education and to encourage members to strive for promotional opportunities."
Two accomplishments come to mind in the first two years of the Decade: The Primer Encuentro Internacional de Educadores in Mexico City has to be a high point. The other event has to be the reversal of the Gordon Castillo Hall case by the California Supreme Court. AMAE was there at the beginning of the miscarriage of justice; AMAE was there through the three years of Gordon Hall's unconscionable incarceration; AMAE was there when the California Supreme Court released him on his own recognizance; and AMAE was there as a co-sponsor when we helped raise $15,000 to help defray the costs of the lengthy appeal process. We owe Jimmy Benavides a great deal on this one because he brought it to our attention and provided the leadership.
During 1982 and 1983, other accomplishments should be noted: working closely with the CTA and through our active member Galal Kernahan, AMAE helped sponsor legislation to create "El Día del Maestro" which is fashioned after similar days celebrated annually throughout Latin America. Two other activities started in 1982 have provided fruitful results. These were the publication of the AMAE Journal with some excellent articles addressing timely issues and the initiation of the Youth Leadership Conference. The latter activity requires a short embellishment.
For years we have had a Boys State and Girls State in California, whereby student leaders are provided a skills development conference in Sacramento. AMAE has duplicated and improved on that concept for Chicano youth in the 10th and 11th grades in hope that these find young people will return to their schools and provide the leadership required of them in the Decade of the Hispanic. Without exception, this Youth Leadership Conference promises to be the single most important accomplishment of this organization.
In 1983, AMAE established communication with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and joined in the process to formalize and Advisory Committee to Bill Honig to address Latino educational needs. Both 1983 President Jimmy Benavides and 1984 President Dian Cordero de Noriega played key roles in developing the committee.
In 1983, AMAE filed a complaint with the EEOC on behalf of Latino educators in a challenge to the CBEST. AMAE's complaint alleged that the CBEST had been misused and that the results have been the denial of true employment opportunities for Latino candidates for educational positions. This may take a while before it's resolved. Meanwhile, we are beginning to see results from an older suit regarding the undercounting of limited-English-Proficient students in the state.
The year 1984 was a time to recover from the conflicts resulting from our steps into new territories, from our involvement with consultants, a recovery financially and a renewed commitment to be able to accomplish everything by ourselves. OUr pride and joy- the Youth Leadership Conference--needed others and other groups for additional support. They, in turn liked and enjoyed the experience and their involvement grew to the point that we found ourselves as one of the sponsors, not the proud owner. The dilemma grew: we could not abandon our original concept, yet many felt we could more effectively serve youth in regional conferences. We tried and continue to try to do both, because above all, the Decade of the the Eighties has brought back to us one of the original reasons for our existence in the first place--the enormous dropout rate. Somehow we feel that tackling this problem, in any of its aspects, will always be AMAE's priority.
Some significant ideas often take time to implement. The idea of Reorganization of the Executive Board was proposed in the first year of the 80's, but not until September of 1984 was a ballot sent to members offering them a Reorganization Plan. The Plan increased the number of Regions and Regional Vice Presidents from three to seven, and made all Committee Chairs ad-hoc to the Executive Board. It passed by one vote.
Finally, in this period, special recognition is given to Dr. Tony Gonzales and Gloria Valdivieso of San Mateo for their successfully gaining a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status for AMAE. This officially designates AMAE as an organization that may receive tax deductible contributions and donations.
"To develop among its educators an awareness of the opportunities in the field of education and to encourage members to strive for promotional opportunities."
Two accomplishments come to mind in the first two years of the Decade: The Primer Encuentro Internacional de Educadores in Mexico City has to be a high point. The other event has to be the reversal of the Gordon Castillo Hall case by the California Supreme Court. AMAE was there at the beginning of the miscarriage of justice; AMAE was there through the three years of Gordon Hall's unconscionable incarceration; AMAE was there when the California Supreme Court released him on his own recognizance; and AMAE was there as a co-sponsor when we helped raise $15,000 to help defray the costs of the lengthy appeal process. We owe Jimmy Benavides a great deal on this one because he brought it to our attention and provided the leadership.
During 1982 and 1983, other accomplishments should be noted: working closely with the CTA and through our active member Galal Kernahan, AMAE helped sponsor legislation to create "El Día del Maestro" which is fashioned after similar days celebrated annually throughout Latin America. Two other activities started in 1982 have provided fruitful results. These were the publication of the AMAE Journal with some excellent articles addressing timely issues and the initiation of the Youth Leadership Conference. The latter activity requires a short embellishment.
For years we have had a Boys State and Girls State in California, whereby student leaders are provided a skills development conference in Sacramento. AMAE has duplicated and improved on that concept for Chicano youth in the 10th and 11th grades in hope that these find young people will return to their schools and provide the leadership required of them in the Decade of the Hispanic. Without exception, this Youth Leadership Conference promises to be the single most important accomplishment of this organization.
In 1983, AMAE established communication with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and joined in the process to formalize and Advisory Committee to Bill Honig to address Latino educational needs. Both 1983 President Jimmy Benavides and 1984 President Dian Cordero de Noriega played key roles in developing the committee.
In 1983, AMAE filed a complaint with the EEOC on behalf of Latino educators in a challenge to the CBEST. AMAE's complaint alleged that the CBEST had been misused and that the results have been the denial of true employment opportunities for Latino candidates for educational positions. This may take a while before it's resolved. Meanwhile, we are beginning to see results from an older suit regarding the undercounting of limited-English-Proficient students in the state.
The year 1984 was a time to recover from the conflicts resulting from our steps into new territories, from our involvement with consultants, a recovery financially and a renewed commitment to be able to accomplish everything by ourselves. OUr pride and joy- the Youth Leadership Conference--needed others and other groups for additional support. They, in turn liked and enjoyed the experience and their involvement grew to the point that we found ourselves as one of the sponsors, not the proud owner. The dilemma grew: we could not abandon our original concept, yet many felt we could more effectively serve youth in regional conferences. We tried and continue to try to do both, because above all, the Decade of the the Eighties has brought back to us one of the original reasons for our existence in the first place--the enormous dropout rate. Somehow we feel that tackling this problem, in any of its aspects, will always be AMAE's priority.
Some significant ideas often take time to implement. The idea of Reorganization of the Executive Board was proposed in the first year of the 80's, but not until September of 1984 was a ballot sent to members offering them a Reorganization Plan. The Plan increased the number of Regions and Regional Vice Presidents from three to seven, and made all Committee Chairs ad-hoc to the Executive Board. It passed by one vote.
Finally, in this period, special recognition is given to Dr. Tony Gonzales and Gloria Valdivieso of San Mateo for their successfully gaining a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status for AMAE. This officially designates AMAE as an organization that may receive tax deductible contributions and donations.
