10 Things About Eva Pacheco & Excellence and Justice in Education
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
– Mahatma Gandhi.
Excellence and Justice in Education (EJE) was founded by Eva and Jesus Pacheco over 30 years ago. What began as a small grass-roots parent advocacy organization evolved into EJE Academies, the dual language TK-8th grade independent charter school providing quality bilingual education for all students attending EJE Academies. EJE Academies is a 90-10 dual language (Spanish & English) school serving 800 low-income students, with a waiting list of about 700. EJE Academies is a space where the needs of the whole child are met. EJE strongly believes that by providing support to the entire family, EJE is investing in their students’ success.
#1 I grew up in León Guanajuato, México. My husband, my children and I immigrated to the US in 1989.
#2 I came to this country with my family as an undocumented immigrant who did not know any English.
#3 I am very alert in the morning; it is when I do my best thinking. The peace and quiet gives me time to prepare for the day, eat breakfast, exercise and be ready for our students and families.
#4 Every free minute I have, I immerse myself in a book. I love reading.
#5 Our dog Luna is a 14-year-old poodle mix. She is our walking partner and beloved companion.
#6 Since my children and grandson are here in San Diego, there is nowhere else I would rather be.
#7 The United States is one of the only monolingual countries in the world; it is time to start recognizing multiculturalism and bilingualism as an asset.
#8 As an immigrant parent seeking quality bilingual education for my children, I soon learned the school system wasn’t made to support literate students who were learning a second language (English) and came from low-income families. This experience led to a lifelong career advocating for quality bilingual education programs for all students. The advocacy work also included organizing and teaching parents to be their own children’s educational advocates.
#9 Educating the whole child includes providing proper nutrition, physical activity, emotional support, preventative health and college/career support to our entire school community, including graduates and their families.
#10 The aging buildings on our campus have not been renovated since the school was built in the 1960s. The importance of creating a campus specifically designed for students and teachers to excel is vital and necessary. EJE Academies is in the initial stages of a capital campaign, “Pave the Way” for EJEA.
