Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana is the chief advisor for the U.S. Education Secretary, Arne Duncan. In her post, she advises Secretary Duncan on preschool, elementary and secondary education matters.
 
Melendez came from humble beginnings and as a five year old, found herself to be the only English Language Learner (ELL) in her class in California. Mrs. Silverman, her kindergarten teacher, recognized the importance of helping this five year old child learn the language and took action beyond what was expected of her as a teacher. Mrs. Silverman, with the permission of Melendez’s mother, set up a play date between Thelma Melendez and Brenda Caster, who spoke English. They became best friends.
 
Melendez graduated from high school and received her bachelor’s degree from UCLA. She later went on to earn her doctorate degree from USC. Her career started as a first grade teacher and she later became a school principal. In 2009, she was named California Superintendent of the Year. 
There is no doubt that Dr. Thelma Melendez had to overcome some barriers herself. She also had the support of her family and a caring kindergarten teacher who believed in this non English speaking five year old child. She is an example of what one young child achieved when the opportunity to reach her potential was available.  
 
It is sad that there are many children who do not have such an opportunity. A white paper published in February 2010 from the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) reports about the need for early care and education programs for Hispanic children and other English Language Learners including those with “limited-English-proficiency”. Hispanic children make up about 24% of the child population under five years of age. Yet they are less likely to participate in early care and education programs and consequently, as a group, are the least prepared to learn in school. Only 58% of Hispanic students graduated in 2005 with a high school diploma. 
 
For recommendations on improving early childhood education opportunities for Hispanic and ELL children go to www.nclr.org  for the white paper titled, “Responding to the Needs of Young Latino Children: State Efforts to Build Comprehensive Early Learning Systems” by Erika Beltran.
 
Imagine the capacity to affect children’s lives as we sustain our efforts and persist in advocating for building comprehensive early childhood systems. We currently find ourselves in a position to impact the course not only of young children but of our communities and state.
 
We all can make a statement at the Sandbox Convention that children deserve our time, energy, efforts and support to build a comprehensive early childhood system that will pay dividends not only for all young children but for each member in every community for generations. And hope for all of us!