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Fronteras: Mexican American Studies Featured At State Summit; Historical Marker Honors Lydia Mendoza

After years of contentious debate, the Texas State Board of Education approved a Mexican American Studies (MAS) curriculum in 2018. Now, members of the community have an opportunity to learn how they can implement the courses into classrooms at the 4th Annual Statewide Summit on Mexican American Studies for Texas Schools.

Then, a new historical marker honors Tejano music legend, Lydia Mendoza.

Credit Lori Rodriguez
Palo Alto College students rally in Austin, TX in support of a TEKS approve course in Mexican American History, June 2018.

“We're Finally Making Some Inroads In Ethnic Studies And Acknowledging That We Have A Beautiful And Diverse Culture”

Educators, students and other concerned citizens threw their support behind the establishment and implementation of MAS courses in public schools across the state, days before the final Sep. 14, 2018 vote.

“I believe allowing students, like us, to learn about our history and culture allows us to be aware of our past and be able to take pride in it,” said Ken Trevino, a student from the Fort Worth Independent School District. “Something that most students today don’t have the opportunity to do because they were never offered a course like this.”

Aimee Villarreal, Program Director of the Comparative Mexican American Studies at Our Lady of the Lake University; and Marisa Perez-Diaz, Texas State Board of Education District 3 representative, were among the driving force involved in the years-long debate.

Villarreal and Perez-Diaz will both be present at the June 15 summit where teachers, students, administrators and interested members of the community can learn about the efforts on establishing MAS courses in K-12 classrooms.

IF YOU GO WHAT: 4th Annual Statewide Summit On Mexican American Studies for Texas Schools WHERE: Our Lady of the Lake University WHEN: Sat. June 15, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. HOW MUCH: $10 INFO: www.ollusa.edu/MASSummit

 

Credit LYDIA MENDOZA IMAGE: MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES. HISTORICAL MARKER CREDITED TO LAUREN TERRAZAS / TEXAS PUBLIC RADIO.

Lydia Mendoza — The Lark Of The Border — Honored With Historical Marker

Lydia Mendoza, guitarist and singer dubbed “La Alondra de la Fronteras,” would have turned 103 on May 31. She was honored the day after her birthday with a historical marker at her gravesite at San Fernando Catholic Cemetery No. 2 in San Antonio.

 

 

Norma Martinez can be reached at norma@tpr.org and on Twitter @NormDog1 and Lauren Terrazas can be reached at lauren@tpr.org and on Twitter @terrazas_lauren.

Norma Martinez can be reached at norma@tpr.org and on Twitter at @NormDog1
Lauren Terrazas can be reached at lauren@tpr.org and on Twitter at @terrazas_lauren