Board Member Spotlight: Teresa Marquez
As the only woman of color in a high level position of leadership in the district, associate superintendent, Teresa Marquez is a shining representation of professionals who rise above the challenges faced by minority groups.
Teresa Marquez, was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at a very young age. She began and completed all her schooling in Los Angeles, California. As a first-generation college student, her older sister was the first in her entire family to attend college. Marquez earned her Bachelor’s in Mathematics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Once graduated, she taught math for ten years then was promoted to work as an assistant principal, followed by the position of a principal for seven years, with different positions along the way she is now on her third year as an associate superintendent.
In her own family, Teresa is one of nine children, six of those earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The three who did not earn a degree, applied and were accepted but decided college was not the right path for them or were in a position where other responsibilities impeded this pursuit. This is truly remarkable as the Marquez parents only received a third grade education. In Teresa’s words, they were “big believers in education”.
What made higher education an achievable reality for Marquez were teachers who took her and her siblings under their wings and were like mentors to them. Teresa shared, “For us it was those teachers who went above and beyond through mentorship. There were folks who believed in us and who helped us.”
In regards to mentorship, as someone who is very passionate about education, Marquez believed it is crucial to teach students what the real world is like and what to expect. She believes hearing experiences from those who work in the fields of study that the students are interested in, is invaluable. Being mentored by someone who has had those successes and gone through the process is enlightening for planning what to do to achieve one’s dreams. Even more so, when those professionals believe in the aspiring college graduate. This is when mentorship is crucial because often, teachers do not have experience in professions outside of education, making mentors an additional and extraordinary source of guidance.
Apart from the professional influence she has in the workplace, Teresa serves as someone who students of a minority group can look up to. She highlights her appearance is similar to that of the students or the family members of these students. This elevates these student’s dreams believable by building confidence when they see a woman of color in a position like her’s. Consequently, Marquez ensures she is a positive representation of Latinas and Latinos in her role.
Logistically, she bridges inadequacies by influencing the structures places in the district to allow access to the underrepresented students. The root of her work is based on the following, “Education is powerful and because everyone has access to it, it should be done in a way that is going to ensure that all students have an opportunity for greater access to higher education. Pairing with foundations like The Reach Foundation will allow these kids to find their path to college, beyond high school.”
In essence, mentorship has proved to be successful in helping first-generation students and Teresa Marquez’ is an example of the fruits of what mentors and believing in students produces.
Get involved! Join us in making a difference as a mentor with The Reach Foundation. Learn more.