— LISTEE'S SPOTLIGHT —

Well-regarded for his expertise in elementary education, Michael A. Cervantes spent over three decades as an educator for the El Rancho Unified School District in San Gabriel, California, focusing on Chicano studies. During his longstanding tenure at the district, he developed its bilingual/bicultural programs, as well as served as an elementary school teacher, a teacher of Spanish as a second language for the Gifted and Talented Education Program, and district chair. Now retired, Mr. Cervantes has since lent his wealth of knowledge to the San Gabriel Historical Association as an editor, the El Rancho Federation of Teachers as its vice president, and the San Gabriel Veterans Memorial Coalition as its president. In addition, he is a student sponsor at San Gabriel Mission High School. Mr. Cervantes has established several endowed scholarships, the most recent in honor of his sister, Maria Dolores Cervantes, which will be awarded to beneficiaries in May 2025. A certified elementary teacher and bilingual specialist in California, Mr. Cervantes holds two master’s degrees in education and Chicano studies from California State University, Los Angeles. He was bestowed with the Alumni Recognition Award from San Gabriel Mission High School in 2019 and is a grantee in his field.