Cal State Fullerton News and Information
  CSUF Home   |   About CSUF   |   Academics   |   Administration   |   Students   |   Future Students   |   Alumni   |   Visitors
 
  News:   Home  |   Archive  |   Calendar & Events   |   Arts  |   Titan Sports  |   Photo Gallery   |   TitanMag.com
CSUF Alumna Dedicates Book to Education Faculty
Book is being considered for the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, presented annually for the top children’s book that authentically reflects the lives of Mexican-American children in the U.S.

May 19, 2005
By Valerie Orleans

“Not only did I receive a wonderful education from the faculty at Cal State Fullerton, I received self-confidence, a greater understanding of how children learn, and the desire to mentor student teachers,” said author and alumna Jane Medina, whose recently published children’s book, The Dream on Blanca’s Wall, is dedicated to faculty members in the College of Education.

An elementary school teacher for 28 years, Medina completed her master’s degree in education in 1999. “Prior to starting my master’s, I transferred to a school that segregated English learners into classes that only taught ESL...no other subjects. I was shocked that my 9- and 10-year-old students couldn’t read,” she said. “I was incensed that they were considered second-class citizens, consigned to separate and unequal classrooms.”

A desire to “understand the injustice” these children suffered led to Medina earning her graduate degree, as well as writing poetry about her students’ struggles.

Those experiences also led to the publication of her first book, My Name is Jorge: On Both Sides of the River, about a young boy.

Her second book focuses on Blanca, who wants to be a teacher but has noticed that none of the teachers in her school are brown-skinned like she is. The story culminates when a Hispanic student-teacher arrives and Blanca learns that she can indeed follow her dream. The book is being considered for the Tomas Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, presented annually for the top children’s book that authentically reflects the lives of Mexican-American children in the U.S.

Boyds Mill Press published both books.

“I wanted to dedicate this book to the faculty at Cal State Fullerton because of their belief in me,” she said. “I think every student deserves to be encouraged by at least one teacher. I was in my 40s before I found the teachers to encourage me. I am so thankful to them.”


Media Contacts: insert text here.


« back to News Front

 

Related Story
1930s Mexican Deportation
Get Expert Opinions On...
ESL Education
Education - Latino
Browse Archive
By Date
By Topics
News Services
eNews Subscribe to eNews
XML Add RSS Headlines
Live Bookmarks Live Bookmarks
Go to... Top


Cal State Fullerton Produced by the Office of Public Affairs at California State University, Fullerton.
Contact the web administrator for comments and problems with the website.
California State University, Fullerton © 2005. All Rights Reserved.