Eva Pacheco barely spoke English when she volunteered at her children’s school in El
Cajon, California. She and her husband were firm believers that being bilingual was
important; they enrolled their children in schools where they were assured they would
receive bilingual education. They soon found out that that was not true. Her children’s
education and self-esteem suffered. Pacheco found out there were many other families
in the same situation. She soon organized other parents, informed them of their parental rights, and together they advocated for quality education for their children. Today, she is the Founder, Trustee, and Director of Facilities Expansion of Excellence and Justice in Education Academies – a model charter school in El Cajon. Pacheco credits her husband, family, the other parents and families – as well as her 13-year experience as an elementary and middle school teacher in Leon, Guajanto, Mexico for success. Here is her story…
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Eva Pacheco, the founder of EJE Academies is an experienced educator of over 30 years who has been advocating to ensure all children have access to quality bilingual education. She was born and raised in Mexico. When she moved to the United States, she quickly recognized the challenges the American education system posed for bilingual learners like her own children, especially those with limited resources. She was the Executive Director of EJE Academies Charter School since its founding over 15 years ago. Starting with just 110 students in makeshift facilities, the academy has grown to serve over 800 students today. EJE Academies (EJEA) is a TK-8th grade school that provides high-quality dual-language (English & Spanish) educational instruction, a nurturing learning environment, and a supportive community to its students.
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Nemeth Narratives Season II: Hidden Stories are voices of communities and individuals who've had unique yet connected global, state, or local events, past and/or present. Most have impacted history in San Diego county in a positive manner but often unknown to the general public.
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Facilitating the conversations are award-winning filmmakers and SDFC co-founders Benito Bautista and Emma Francisco Bautista, and Alicia de Leon Torres, Deputy Director of the Nemeth Foundation and SDFC Board Member. Sound design and edit by SDFC Technical Director, Miko Aguilar. Key art design by SDFC Communications & Social Media Manager, Tiara Liz Deriquito.
Nemeth Narratives is presented by The Nemeth Foundations in partnership with San Diego Filipino Cinema and New Americans Museum
sdfilipinocinema.org