Lina Hidalgo, a 27-year-old immigrant from Colombia, shocked veteran politicians in Texas by winning one of the biggest jobs in Houston, ousting a Republican incumbent. She will manage a $4 billion budget.
Her victory was a tribute to her organizational skill and strategy.
It was also a tribute to her public school education.
Her teachers encouraged her to prepare for college and to believe in herself.
“Hidalgo believes that it was her initial exposure to the American public education system that eventually led her to pursue a career in public service. Hidalgo had spent the majority of her childhood in Latin American countries, like Colombia, Peru, and Mexico, where it was understood that the only way to receive a decent education was through private schooling. Hidalgo marveled at how the public education system created a relatively equal playing field for kids from all backgrounds to learn in.
“When Hidalgo started high school, a guidance counselor noticed that she had good grades from her school in Mexico and advised Hidalgo to take Pre-AP classes as opposed to regular courses. This small nudge allowed Hidalgo to display her academic potential, which led to her being accepted into Stanford University’s undergraduate program years later. After graduating from Stanford, she decided to pursue a joint degree in law and public policy at NYU and Harvard, but put her degree on hold to run for County Judge.”
The miracle of public schools.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Delighted to read about her I think this is something many terrific public schools do with many students – help transform their lives.
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The miracle of public schools is being threatened by an evil autocratic empire of greed.
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Lina Hidalgo..
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As someone that taught ELLs for many years, I have worked with many students from poor, war torn countries around the world. My district did a lot of outreach with our immigrant parents. The parents were overall so grateful for the opportunities afforded to their children. Many of the parents and students told stories about how terrible and dangerous the public schools were in their native lands. They were very appreciative that their children could attend a safe, well resourced school with appropriate services and professional teachers.
Public schools continue offer immigrants a ladder of opportunity through education so these newcomers can become productive members of society. Public schools are democracy in action, and we must defend them.
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Her election may have something to do with the “straight ticket” voting on the ballot, but it is about time a city with so many immigrants has someone in power to speak for them.
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That. Is. Marvelous.
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