Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/458422
Meet Assembly Member Roger Hernández O T E R S E L E C T E D A s s e m b l y Member Roger Hernández in November 2010 to represent areas including Azusa, Bald- win Park, Bradbury, City of Industry, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Irwindale, Mon- rovia, West Covina, the San Gabriel Valley, and unincor- porated areas of Los Angeles County, including Bassett, Charter Oak, Citrus, East A r c a d i a , R a m o n a , R o y a l Oaks and Valinda. A n o t h e r e d u c a t o r i n t h e L e g - islature, Hernández has fought to help lawmakers provide desperately needed support to the state's K-12 and higher education systems. As the chair of the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment, he has battled to protect Cal- ifornia's workers as well. Among the enacted legislation he has authored are bills that added consumer protections for children under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA); protected employees from employer retaliation based on immigration status; and required financial literacy to be taught as part of the state's K-12 curriculum. A son of immigrant parents, Hernández was the first in his family to pursue higher education. He earned a bachelor's in political science from UC Riverside, a master of arts in public administration from the Uni- versity of La Verne, and a master of arts in governance certificate from the California School Boards Associ- ation (CSBA). V WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE BECOMING A LAWMAKER? Prior to be- ing elected to the Assembly, I was a professor of government at Rio Hondo and Citrus community colleges. I also served as mayor and as a councilmember for the city of West Covina. Before my tenure with the city of West Covina, I served as a member of the Rowland Unified School District board from 1999 through 2003. WHAT LED YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE? I was called to public service at a very young age and was motivated to fight for equality and progress as I worked with at-risk youth in my community. Look- ing at the achievement gap in educational opportunities led me to run for Rowland Unified School District at the early age of 23. I have always wanted to be a voice for underserved communi- ties, especially our youth. WHO WAS THE TEACHER WHO HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOU? I have been fortunate to have been taught by several teachers who encouraged me to challenge myself and pressed me to raise my expectations. My fresh- man English teacher, Michael Dalton, was most influential. Inside and outside the classroom, Mr. Dalton exposed me to some of the finest prose ever written and provided me a proper introduction to the arts. Mr. Dalton found my strengths, gave me the encouragement to strive for excellence, and broadened my own expectations of what was possible for me. WHAT STEPS SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE TAKE TO HELP SCHOOLS SUCCEED? A crucial issue for our state is ensuring that we have sufficient resourc- es for underserved students and classrooms. Guaranteeing that all students, regardless of economic status, have access to the same quality facilities and education should be one of the state's top priorities. WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES OR GOALS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION? Economic empowerment begins in our schools. Education in California should be used as a vessel to empower the young and create greater social and economic equity in California. Education is power, and the only way we can continue to grow and improve as a state is to provide students with many opportu- nities to learn. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE EDUCATORS ABOUT WORKING WITH LEGISLATORS? The best way to preserve democracy is to take part in it. It is crucial for legislators to hear personal expe- riences and struggles from educators. California has so much going on within the world of education, and certain issues may fall through the cracks. If you can take the time to share your experiences with legislators, please do. Your point of view is invaluable to the education of our children. By Len Feldman Legislator profile Advocacy 32 www.cta.org