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2010
Maria Concepcion Prieto
Palmdale Elementary / Antelope Valley Union High School District
Maria Concepción Prieto has tirelessly volunteered for over 20 years, always brokering positive
relations between parents and the schools, as a classroom volunteer, SSC, D/ELAC member,
community liaison— to name just a few. Whether raising funds, teaching ballet folclórico, or
organizing donations, she has always been driven by one belief: it is through knowledge that
parents are empowered. She believes they will then hold their children and schools accountable for their academic
progress if they understand they can and must play a role within their children’s schools. Mrs. Prieto has set this
example from the time her own children started attending the districts’ schools in 1989 and continues in this spirit by
volunteering for the Migrant Education Program and CABE’s Chapter 58 Conference Committee. Her ultimate goal is
to receive a GED. Together, these roles represent 20 years of service in the name of English Learners and their parents,
and her deep commitment to and belief in the vital role that bilingual education plays in the lives of students, parents
and the school community has become a lifelong mission. Bilingual education is greatly indebted to the heretofore
unrewarded efforts of Mrs. Prieto.
2010
Catalina Urrutia
Los Angeles Unified School District
Catalina Urrutia emigrated from El Salvador determined to not have her children’s educationor
her own- interrupted. Mrs. Urrutia immediately found a vital role to play in her 4 children’s
schools, most notably as DELAC member and ELAC Secretary. She has very quickly risen as a
community leader and voice for the parents she represents, speaking on the importance of
parent involvement at LAUSD Board meeting and elected as President of English Learners Programs for LAUSD Local
District 1. Always on the lookout for larger forums to deliver her message, she has represented LAUSD at the NABE
Conference in Tampa, the Annual Conference of National Coalition of Title I in Rochester, NY, and the Parent Summit
for English Learners, sharing her growing insights and wisdom on the vital role of parent involvement in our schools.
2009
Gloria Rodarte
Vineyard Elementary School, Ontario-Montclair SD
Gloria Rodarte is an outstanding contributor to bilingual education and to education in general at Vineyard Elementary
School and in her community. Gloria Rodarte has dedicated her life to Vineyard Elementary since
her son began preschool in 2000. He is now in 7th grade and Gloria continues volunteering her time not only
at Vineyard Elementary, but at two other school sites within her District. Gloria Rodarte has served on parent
committees including ELAC/ DELAC /DAC and School Site Council. She has served as President and Vice-
President of Vineyard’s Elementary School Site Council. Mrs. Rodarte has been a vital part of making connections
between parents, school administration, teachers, students and other staff members. As a Spanish
speaking parent, Mrs. Rodarte values the importance of bilingual education and encourages her child to further
his education in both languages in order to open more doors of opportunity in his life.
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