Yuliana Quiroz 
EDINBURG – Historical markers and statues on campus reveal Rio Grande Valley history.
History that we’ve learned as adults in college. But what if we could’ve learned more about the place we live in from our elementary school classrooms?
Dr. Joy Esquierdo and Dr. Stephanie Alvarez are both professors and directors for two important centers at UTRGV.
“Most educators are hesitant to use a word like chicano for younger children,” said Esquierdo.
And they are now committing to a project that will equip elementary school teachers with knowledge on implementing local history into classrooms.
“Sometimes there’s limited resources especially if you want to infuse Mexican-American Studies, some local history, ”continued Esquierdo.
They’ve received a national grant of nearly 100,000 dollars that will provide resources for teachers from kindergarten to fifth grade in PSJA ISD and HCISD.
“For approximately thirty teachers, for two years and so it’s going to be a four-day workshop one year and then another four-day workshop. And so what it will help us do is build up materials,” said Dr. Stephanie Alvarez.
Alvarez says that as a mother of three, she would personally like her children to grow with their language, culture, and identity affirmed.
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