Legendary high school math teacher Jaime Escalante, whose inspiring story was told in the film Stand and Deliver, passed away on Tuesday afternoon after a long battle with cancer.
So sad.
“He did so much for so many people. And he did it with such grace and dignity,” said actor Edward James Olmos, who played Escalante in the 1988 film.
The 79-year-old teacher was responsible for transforming the math program in Garfield High School into one of the top rated programs in the country.
He is survived by his wife, Fabiola, two children and six grandchildren.
There’s no doubt Escalante’s contributions to education will live on for generations to come.
[Image via AP Images.]