Jaime Escalante

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the man who challenged the stereotypes about achievement in inner city schools died in Reno, Nevada where he was undergoing treatment for cancer. He made a difference in the lives he touched and allowed students to believe they could reach their goals with hard work and dedication. Students in his calculus classes overcame near-impossible odds in passing the AP Calculus exams in high numbers, allowing many to attend 4 year colleges right out of high school. I am sure he left a lasting impression on their lives.