For two years Ramon Martinez taught first grade in a bi-lingual classroom.

Then Proposition 227, which required total English immersion, passed. He witnessed his colleagues’ reactions, their questions, their fears. And he decided to do what he knew was the right thing to do—based on what he knew was in the best interest of his students, based on sound social justice theory he learned in Center X's Teacher Education Program. Unlike many teachers, at his school and elsewhere, who limited and/or completely eliminated their use of Spanish in the classroom, he continued to use Spanish as a resource for teaching and learning. Not too many third year teachers working in public schools took this kind of a chance. Ramon did. He also advocated by writing articles, by joining a group that later became the Coalition for Educational Justice.

Today Ramon Martinez is back at Center X, a doctoral candidate in the Division of Urban Schooling. Not that he ever really left. He stayed in touch by meeting monthly with John Rogers’ inquiry group for graduates. Together they read articles around education, around social justice and discussed them. He stayed in touch by being a field supervisor for TEP and teaching classes.

Karen Hunter Quartz says about Ramon’s work for the last few years, “Together we have helped create the UCLA Community School and he has been my constant companion through many, many meetings.” She adds, “A very gentle and humble person, Ramon is a joy to work with. We have written a few pieces together, including the UCLA Community School proposal, and I admire his writing and scholarship. Overall, he is a perfect example of a true Center Xer.” Currently he is developing a resource matrix on dual language programs as plans for the new school reach opening day.

Ramon graduated from Reseda High School and UC San Diego, taught in Mexico City and Prague before he finally returned to UCLA and Center X to get his masters in education. He and his wife live in Echo Park. You might find  him working on his doctoral dissertation on code switching or you might find him playing the drums in a “middle-aged” garage band! Who knew!