Title: Elementary School Educator (Retired)
Company: El Rancho Unified School District
Location: San Gabriel, California, United States
Michael A. Cervantes, Retired Elementary School Educator at El Rancho Unified School District, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in elementary education.
Mr. Cervantes became involved in his profession because he wanted to serve others and give back to his community. When he was a university student at California State College, he volunteered in east Los Angeles and had excellent experiences helping others. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1971, Mr. Cervantes earned a Master of Arts in education from California State College in 1978, a Master of Arts in Chicano studies from California State University in 1985, and became a certified elementary teacher and bilingual specialist in California. Prior to his retirement in June 2010, Mr. Cervantes worked within the El Rancho Unified School District since 1979 as an elementary educator, teacher of Spanish as second language for the gifted and talented education program from 1990 to 1992 and chair of the district from 1990 to 1991. Prior to his time with the El Rancho Unified School District, Mr. Cervantes worked within the Valle Lindo School District from 1972 to 1979.
In addition to his role as an elementary educator, Mr. Cervantes has worked on the planning task force of the El Rancho Unified School District since 1990 and remains a consultant in the field. He has also been a principal judge of the computer contest within South Ranchito Elementary School, a secretary for school-wide effectiveness, a judge for the Literacy Day Essay Contest, and a vice president of the El Rancho Federation Teachers, among other roles. Mr. Cervantes has also established the New World scholarship California State University, the Renaissance Man/Woman scholarship at California State University The Leader Scholarship California State Univerity, the Community Service Scholarship, and the New World Essay Scholarship at San Gabriel Mission High School.
Mr. Cervantes considers the highlight of his career to have been able to help students not only with their academic studies but also in their personal life, and he advises others aspiring to work in his industry to take a holistic approach to working with students. He has been a co-coordinator of the Benefit For Homeless and Orphans of El Salvador San Gabriel at the California Mission Parish, co-coordinator of the legalization program for undocumented people, a co-chairman subcommittee of human rights, and a chairman of the religious high school youth program. Since 2024, he has likewise served as the acting president for the San Gabriel Veteran’s Memorial Coalition, the co-coordinator for the Liturgical Ministry of Eucharistic Ministers, and a new student sponsor at the San Gabriel Mission High School. Additionally, Mr. Cervantes serves as a Eucharistic minister, an official photographer for Mission Fiesta, a co-editor San Gabriel Mission Souvenir program and a union chair Modified Day Committee.
Mr. Cervantes is grateful for his accomplishments and believes that his achievements were made possible by the support of his family and peers as well as his mentors, Sister Mary Pakelli, Dr. Roberto Tantu and Louis Negrete. As a testament to his success, Mr. Cervantes holds membership with the American Federation of Teachers, International Reading Association, El Rancho Federation Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Communications Association, International Labor Communication Association, and California State University Alumni Association Scholarship Committee. As a testament to his success, Mr. Cervantes has been featured in the third and eighth editions of Who’s Who in American Education, the third and fourth edition of Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America, and the 22nd edition of Who’s Who in the West.
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