OXNARD : State Group Honors Latina Educator

A retired Oxnard principal still active in educational causes has been recognized as the Latina Administrator of the Year by the statewide Assn. of Mexican-American Educators at the group’s annual convention.

Juanita L. Sanchez-Valdez was honored at the association’s 27th annual convention last week in Anaheim as part of the association’s Homenaje a la Mujer Latina (Homage to the Latin Woman) program, said Andrea Pulido, president of the association’s Ventura County chapter.

Sanchez-Valdez, a Ventura resident, was the first Latina principal in Ventura County. She worked as principal in the Oxnard Elementary School District for 14 years until her retirement in 1991.

“Dr. Sanchez-Valdez is one of the most outstanding community leaders of any group, but especially of Latina women,” Pulido said.

Sanchez-Valdez was appointed to a statewide commission on teacher credentials in 1990, and earlier this year testified before the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in Washington on the role of parents in education.

Superintendent Norman Brekke of the Oxnard School District said that Sanchez-Valdez is held in high esteem by parents and staff of Oxnard schools. “She was a very conscientious and able administrator,” Brekke said.