Abarca, Ramon 1999-01-05

Ramon Abarca, Lubbock area educator and school administrator, discusses his life and the changes the Lubbock and Slaton Independent School districts have faced over the years.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Ramon Abarca

Additional Parties Recorded: N/A

Date: January 5, 1999

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Daniel Sanchez

Length: 95 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Born in Corpus Christi, Parents, education, siblings,Corpus Christi, Texas Independent School District, Segregation related to residency, Favorite subjects, Teachers, Restricted from speaking Spanish from junior high on, Began working in 6th grade through high school, Guidance, Graduated in 1964, College, 1964 – 1968, Texas A & I University in Kingsville, Texas, Presently Texas A & M at Kingsville, Texas, Discrimination, Activities/Involvement, Alpha Phi Omega, Young Democrats, Student Government, Wife--Met while in junior high,Began dating while in college, Married in 1968, Lubbock, Texas – 1968, Began 1st teaching job, Observations, No Hispanics, Head Start, Summer job – 1968, Lubbock Independent School District (L. I. S. D.), Only 5 other Hispanics on staff in 1968, Wife worked at Reese Airforce Base, Smiley Wilson Junior High, 1 Hispanic student in his class, Math and science teacher, Largest junior high at the time,

Tape 1 Side 2: Resigned from L. I. S. D. in 1970, Became a full time student at Texas Tech University – 1970, Working on masters degree, Lubbock High School, Recruited to be a teacher, Activism among students, Opportunity for Hispanic students to learn in Lubbock, Texas, Lubbock High School (again) – 1970, Court order, Talk of closing the school, Hispanic students, Recognition, Views by other teachers and administration, Counselor after 1 year of teaching, Helping students, Changes in the school district, Administrators who helped bring about change, Hispanic school board member, Importance of hiring more Hispanics, Assistant principal – Lubbock High, Slaton, Texas Independent School District (S. I. S. D.), Superintendent, Hispanic teachers, Recruiting

Tape 2 Side 1: S. I. S. D. (continued), Problems, Accomplishments, Changes, Acceptance, Opportunities for Children, 4 sons, Magnet program – Lubbock, Texas, At one time the director, Opinions, Slaton, Texas (again), 1st Hispanic superintendent, Changes, Involvement, Groups, Politics

Tape 2, Side 1: Politics, conclusion of interview

Access Information

Original Recording Format: Mini-Disc

Recording Format Notes: transferred to audio CD

Transcript: no

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