Stand and Deliver' teacher dies of cancer
March 31, 2010 2:15 a.m. EDT
Jaime Escalante turned the failing calculus program at Garfield High into one of the nation's best.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Escalante, 79, died at his home in Roseville, California
- Teacher turned around failing calculus program at a Los Angeles high school
- Escalante was portrayed by actor Edward James Olmos in the 1988 film "Stand and Deliver"
RELATED TOPICS
Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Jaime Escalante, the math teacher portrayed in the 1988 film "Stand and Deliver," died Tuesday after a battle with cancer, according to the actor who played him.
Escalante, 79, was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren when he died at his home in Roseville, California, said Edward James Olmos.
Olmos visited Escalante's bedside Monday night, he said.
"We lost one of the true giants of education and inspiration in this country," Olmos said. "He really made us understand that it didn't matter what color, race, creed or ethnicity any of us are."
No comments:
Post a Comment