California School News Radio

In 29 years as Director of the Pioneer High School Summer Math Academy and Escalante Program – an accelerated math program for middle and high school students – Pioneer math teacher Javier Gonzalez has channeled the groundbreaking teaching approach of his friend and mentor, former Garfield High School calculus teacher Jaime Escalante, whose exploits were chronicled in the 1988 movie, “Stand and Deliver.” Joined by Pioneer Class of 2017 graduate and Math Academy tutor Alejandro Vazquez, Gonzalez discusses Escalante’s legacy, making math fun for students, and meeting President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office after being named California Teacher of the Year in 1996.