A Bronx Educator Battles Injustice to Uplift Her Community
Born in the embattled South Bronx, Dr. Elaine Ruiz Lopez overcame teen pregnancy and adversity to earn advanced degrees, driven to serve children from backgrounds like hers. This inspirational memoir chronicles her vision to provide rigorous, empowering education in her hometown despite a system stacked against minorities.
The Fight for Equity in the Bronx tells the inspiring tale of a Bronx educator who battles injustice to uplift her community, and
Traces Dr. Ruiz Lopez's journey from high school ""push-out"" to Ivy League graduate Recounts constant interference faced while establishing a pioneering charter high school Shares stories of students now thriving in colleges nationwide Spotlights importance of parent activism in education reform Encourages readers to persevere against obstacles through self-belief
Forging her own path, Dr. Ruiz Lopez opens New York's first Bronx charter high school in 2006, offering immigrant and diverse students a nurturing environment for achieving their potential. With deep community ties yet fighting administrators alone, she overcomes numerous attempts to dismantle the school. During a chaotic first year, Dr. Lopez risks her reputation to protect both students and her vision. Despite ongoing barriers, her academy stands tall today with a 96% graduation rate.
More than one woman's uplifting odyssey, this is a chronicle of hope-proving equity in education possible through collective struggle.
By:
Elaine Ruiz Lopez
Imprint: Advantage Media Group
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 228mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781642257311
ISBN 10: 1642257311
Pages: 258
Publication Date: 25 September 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword Introduction Chapter 1: Young, Gifted, and Puerto Rican: My Childhood in the South Bronx Chapter 2: From Shining Star to Dimming Light Chapter 3: City College of New York: A World of Purpose Chapter 4: The Bronx Is Burning: Rising from the Ashes Chapter 5: Next Stop, Graduate School Chapter 6: Standing on Principle in a Racially Hostile Environment Chapter 7: Dr. Evelina Lopez Antonetty—The Mother of the South Bronx Chapter 8: The Ivy League Student and Social Activism Chapter 9: Earning the Doctorate—Walking through the Gauntlet Chapter 10: Education as a Civil Right: A Vision for Equity in the Bronx Chapter 11: Developing an Educational Philosophy Chapter 12: The Politics of Education Reform Chapter 13: The Politics of Starting a Charter School in New York City Chapter 14: The Charter School Start-Up: Eight Months to Opening Chapter 15: Losing the Battle to Win the War Chapter 16: Expanding Our Impact Chapter 17: The Growth of a Vision: One Decade Later Chapter 19: The Alumni and Legacy Epilogue
Dr. ELAINE RUIZ-LÓPEZ was born to working-class parents in the South Bronx, where she persevered as a teen mom high school ""pushout"" to earn advanced degrees, including a doctorate from Columbia University's Teachers College. A passionate advocate for immigrant and diverse communities, she founded New York's International Leadership Charter High School in 2006 to provide rigorous, college-prep education for underserved youth. Over the years, Bronx officials have presented Dr. Ruiz López and the International Leadership Charter High School with proclamations. In 2022 she was recognized as one of the Power Women of the Bronx. In June 2023 she was recognized by the Black Latinx Asian Charter Coalition (BLACC) and presented with the Educator of Excellence Award at the Mosaic Gala. She currently resides in her beloved neighborhood, the Bronx, with her husband, Tony López.
