How the imagination of a few change the lives of many. 
Between Art and Education, has wavered Esperanza Álvarez’s life, better known by her coworkers and close friends as Hope. So it happens that hope is one of three theological virtues, along with faith and charity. Hope is the virtue from which people transform or elevate themselves to an altered spiritual state.
It has been defined as ‘inspired virtue that prepares the human being to gain confidence and truth to obtain the eternal life by natural and supernatural means.’
In her long journey Hope Álvarez has used this virtue time after time to reach out to those innocent souls, starved for knowledge, saturated in curiosity but lacking in direction. Hope is a pioneer in Education, even more so in ever so challenging field of Bilingual Education.
In 1975 while attending Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, Hope heard the call to Education. “I still remember that we would go out in a bus from Denton to Ft. Worth. There we had the opportunity to work with children from pre-school to eighth grade. The hours were long and exhausting, but the rewards were unimaginable,” says Hope.
She adds that her group was the third one of its class and only Arizona and California were experimenting at that time with Bilingual Education. After finishing the educational program in Denton, Texas, her mom told her about a vacancy in Oklahoma, she got an interview and in the blink of an eye, began her long career as an educator. Westwood Elementary School in Oklahoma City was where along with two other young women, one of Mexican descent, Mónica Sandoval and April Haulman, originally from Colorado, took the reins of bilingual education in the school district.
The need for bilingual education was great and it reflected in the faces of 137 Hispanic students. With barely one year in this school, Hope realized that the shortage of bilingual teachers was enormous.
The demographic figures were an indication of the need for bilingual educators; it was then when Rosa King, who would later found El Nacional News and Violeta Crain joined in the ranks to fill the void. Using the opportunity of education subsidies established by the administration of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, Hope submitted proposals that once approved, would warrant financial assistance to academically prepare her bilingual assistants.
“We were giving them not only the opportunity of a great career in education but an unforgettable experience as well,” comments Hope. In the span of ten years she submitted grant proposals for federal funding while competing with other states in the Nation, and for ten years she managed to obtain the necessary funds to continue the bilingual program for the Oklahoma City public schools.
“One of the dilemmas that my assistants (females) were facing was that being Hispanic, many endured opposition from their spouses and family as well. This was during the time where the machismo, was a separate culture, and the challenges for these young women were enormous,” she comments. Hope adds that she was not the favorite person of many Hispanic families and that friction existed between married couples, including separations and even divorces. But nothing of this discouraged them from continuing with their goals of becoming bilingual educators, of imparting knowledge to all those who were so strongly depending on them.”
“My parents have been a bastion in my life, and have always motivated me to achieve my goals. But definitively in my sadder, darker moments, it’s from my grandparents memories from which my inspiration comes from”, says Hope. Her grandparents immigrated to the United States, and made Midland, Texas their home. They had a big family with eight children and regardless, education was an essential part of daily life.
“I still recall tender moments with my grandfather, Alfonso Jara. He created the first Educational Council in the neighborhood; it was called the ‘Good Neighbor Council’. There he helped our Hispanics to read and to write. In addition, he was a member of the volunteer firemen brigade. My grandmother was always scolding him, since everything he did, he did for free,” Hope said.
It was evident that his generosity and tender disposition was contagious and something that Hope has felt run through her veins during her life. Her effort in sowing those seeds, which began long ago, has born fruit many times over her own expectations. The school district grew from three to fifty bilingual educators, in less than six years, and the federal funding increased from $16,000 up to $125,000 in assistance with more than 135 bilingual assistants. According to Hope, the way that the Latin community has evolved socially is surprising.
The many sacrifices of those individuals involved in this cultural movement, paid great dividends and has strengthened the Latin community. It was the same attitude that led her to become Program Director at Eagle Ridge Institute, in Oklahoma City, an organization dedicated to renew lives of individuals who have lost, not only their way but their own identity. Eagle Ridge’s philosophy was like a ring on her finger, says Hope. It was the 80’s, Oklahoma City was giving an indication of gang activity and for Hope it was precisely the opportunity to rescue these young souls before it was too late.
She worked for three arduous years writing educational programs in drug prevention, alcohol abuse, juvenile delinquency and sexual education. According to her, in those thirty-six months she saw positive changes in many teens, which through support, advice and leadership changed their lives. Later on, Hope ventured to start her own business, something that took her to El Paso, Texas. Utilizing her years of experience, she created ‘Outreach Educational Services,’ a company who provided educational mentoring services to those who were getting lost in the educational system.
Three years later, an old friend, Manny Soto, an OKC Public Schools supervisor, made her a tempting offer as a bilingual teacher. The school was Jefferson, a middle school where 64 percent of the students are Hispanic. There she currently works closely with the School Principal, Gloria Torres, where she monitors more than 70 teachers. Her goal is to become a Principal but she says that intervening for these young minds is something that she will never abandon, especially, those students from sixth to eighth grade.
In her opinion, at this stage of life is when young people commit their most serious mistakes and make their worst decisions, which change their lives forever. Hope says that it was the same tenacity and dedication that led her fifteen years ago to create a Mexican folkloric dance company named ‘Norahua’, a word that in the Tarumare dialect means ‘friend’. It was through the persistence of a fellow student and friend, Jaime Fuentes, a dancer, who had the vision of keeping the Mexican culture alive that Norahua was created. She also credits the help of another dancer, Pandora Everest.
At that time it was the generosity of Marcelino García, owner of Chelino’s Restaurants, who allowed them to present musical programs at his Bricktown location. Hope fondly remembers the beginnings of the group, when even the wardrobe was handmade. But without fail, every Cinco de Mayo they would appear in Bricktown, where they would offer a dance program of high caliber. After establishing the Norahua, Hope wrote proposals to the State Arts Council, who due to her efforts recognized the group’s cultural value and the contribution to the community of Oklahoma. After 15 years as group’s director, Hope passed the baton to Patricia Anaya and to Jaime Fuentes. Nowadays Norahua boasts more than 70 members and is recognized as one of the top cultural ensembles in Oklahoma.
 Hope says that when she reflects on her life, her biggest achievement is her children. Her daughter Adelita Hernández, graduated from UCO and is currently a dance teacher at Roosevelt Middle School, a school with 70 percent Hispanic enrollment. She teaches jazz, tap, ballet and folkloric dance. Adelita has also blessed Hope with a grandson. Her son Michael is a graduate of OSU and currently works as certified mechanic for Hibdon’s Tires.
As one of the true pioneers of Bilingual Education in Oklahoma, Hope’s long journey has taken her many places. She has shared her wisdom with students in classrooms, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and state prisons. While reflecting on her life she comments, “Often my mind takes me back to this small patio in my grandmother’s house, where she would tell me stories about my ancestors. It was her words of praise, tenderness and wisdom that gave me the necessary tools for this journey.” She concludes by saying that to be bilingual is much more than a need or a social privilege it is a cultural responsibility. None one should forget their roots, after all, the seed that bore the tree, did not sprout in vain.
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