Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico welcomed the Conference participants. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham, NBA Veteran and charter school founder Kevin Johnson and former councilmember Kevin Chavous presented an award to Ms. Sonia Gutierrez, CEO and founder of the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School as an inductee into the Hall Of Fame of the National Charter Schools.
Sonia Gutierrez was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Adult Education specializing in Supervision and Administration of Adult Education Programs.
Ms. Gutierrez is currently the CEO & founder of the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. In 1998, the school became the first Adult Public Charter School in the nation. Today, the non-profit Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School provides more than 1200 students with English as a Second Language, GED in Spanish and English, courses in different areas of technology, Citizenship classes, Culinary Arts, family literacy and Spanish classes. In 2006, the school received an award from the DC Mayor as one of the 10 best charter schools in the city.
Ms. Gutierrez has spent 35 years as a principal, counselor, advocate and organizer to more than 50,000 adult immigrant students. Ms. Gutierrez began her literacy career in the District of Columbia Public Schools in May 1972 as a counselor of the Program for English instruction to Latin Americans (PEILA).
Ms. Gutierrez has also been very involved in the social and economic development of the Latino Community. In 1977, she founded the Council of Latino Agencies. She was instrumental in establishing the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs and presided over the Latino Festival. She is the past President of the Metropolitan Association of Adult and Continuing Education and also for both DC Commission for Women and the Latin Community Development Commission.
In 1987, Ms. Gutierrez was named Washingtonian of the Year, among others. She was also inducted into the Washington Women's Hall of Fame by the DC Commission of Women.
We are honored to report that Dr. Monroe, who joined our staff this fall, received a very special award from TESOL (Teachers of English for Speakers of Other Languages) on World Teachers` Day. The overarching theme for 2007 was "Quality Education for Quality Teachers."
One of Dr. Monroe's colleagues, Robert J. Meszaros, honored him saying: "Dr. Monroe was my ESOL mentor last year when we worked for Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. Dr. Monroe always acted with the utmost professionalism. He planned and delivered interesting and informative SIOP training classes for my ESOL team. He observed classes and patiently mentored individual teachers on how to improve their teaching. He was always available to answer questions and was very supportive in encouraging my action research. I am confident that Dr. Monroe went way beyond what was required for his job and that the ESOL Team at Orem School functioned smoothly and the students received better instruction because of Dr. Monroe's important and valuable contribution."
Here at the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School we congratulate him and feel proud of his previous achievements. We are sure his leadership in the field will continue to inspire our teachers and students alike.
