Student determined to teach truth

By Michelle L. Young
Daily Forty-Niner

Learning the realities of U.S. history at Cal State Long Beach inspired senior liberal studies major Rebecca Escalante to become a third or fourth grade teacher, but she will not swim in the harsh waters of teaching kindergarten.

"I bow down to kindergarten teachers. I do," said Escalante, realizing the difficulty of such needy children.

As a student in elementary school, Escalante was told the tall tales of how the United States became a great nation. Now knowing the truth, she is determined to teach it to future generations.

"History that is taught in our elementary schools makes the U.S. look good," Escalante said. "The kids don't know the truth. I didn't know that Paul Revere was captured. And the story, ëOne if by land, two if by sea...' was mere legend. Christopher Columbus also wasn't the hero that elementary schools make him to be, and tons of kids are taught that."

Also, the truth about the treatment of American Indians by European settlers is not fully disclosed, said a concerned Escalante.

Because of these events, Escalante's minor is history so she can "find more instances of what [is taught incorrectly] in elementary schools," she said.

Currently working through Service Experiences for Re-Vitalizing Education, Escalante is a fifth grade teacher's assistant at a school in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

In addition to working through SERVE, Escalante still finds time to manage two city pools in Monterey Park, where she lifeguards and gives swimming lessons to children.

Like many of the students who are commuters on campus, Escalante is a commuter from Monterey Park. Her drive to school is anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

"I live two minutes away from CSU Los Angeles, but I would rather come here.  It's peaceful here," said Escalante, "I come here to get away from the city, the smog, and to see the grass and trees!"

Not knowing anyone on campus allows Escalante to find herself, she said.

Escalante enjoys being a liberal studies major, however she finds that the program takes so long. "It's like you need to attend summer and winter sessions to graduate in five years even."