Rafael Cordero (educator)

Rafael Cordero (educator)

[1]

Rafael Cordero

"The Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico" Born October, 1790 San Juan, Puerto Rico July 5, 1868 San Juan, Puerto Rico Puerto Rican Educator

Died

Nationality Occupation Notes

In 2004, the Roman Catholic Church began the process of Cordero's beatification

Rafael Cordero (October, 1790July 5, 1868), known as "The Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico", was a self-educated Puerto Rican who provided free schooling to children regardless of their race or social standing.

Early years
Cordero was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico into a poor family, his father was a poor man who worked in the tobacco fields. Cordero, who was of African ancestry, was self-educated. His love of literature and his determination to teach and educate himself helped him to develop the skills and preparation to teach primary school.[2] Cordero, a devout Catholic, received the rite of Confirmation at fourteen years old from Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi (17601814), the first Puerto Rican to be consecrated Bishop in San Juan.[3]

Educator
At the beginning of the 19th century Rafael Cordero established, in his house, a free school for all children, regardless of race, who were unable to afford an education otherwise. Cordero maintained his educational center for 58 years at Luna Street in San Juan. There he taught reading, calligraphy, mathematics and Catholic instruction.[3] Among the distinguished alumni who attended Cordero's school were Romn Baldorioty de Castro, Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and Jos Julin Acosta. He proved that racial and economic integration could be possible and accepted.[2] He was awarded the Premio de Virtud by La Sociedad Econmica de Amigos del Pas, an economic club whose members were friends of Puerto Rico. He was given 100 pesos, which he in turn gave away to those in need. He used half of the money (50 pesos) to buy books and clothes for his students and the other half was given to the homeless. The people's love and respect for Cordero was evidenced by the fact that more than 2,000 people attended his funeral in 1868. The Catholic Church plans to search for Corderos remains which were buried at the old citys cemetery, although the exact location is unknown.[2]

Rafael Cordero (educator)

Honors and recognitions

Puerto Rican poet Jos Gualberto Padilla published a poem titled "El maestro Rafael" honoring the educator. In 1890, Rafael Cordero was immortalized in a painting titled La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero by the artist Francisco Oller which can be seen in the Puerto Rican Athenaeum. The house in Luna Street, where Rafael Cordero taught, was remodeled by the Government of Puerto Rico and is registered as a historical site in the National Register of Historical Places. There "La escuela del maestro Cordero" (1890-92), by is a plaque on the outside that states the historical significance of Francisco Oller the building and its relation to Rafael Cordero. The Teachers' Association of Puerto Rico (Asociacin de Maestros de Puerto Rico) annually awards the teacher who has distinguished himself or herself in the field of public or private education with the National Medal Rafael Cordero. There are various schools named after him, among them a high school in San Juan, an elementary school in Aguadilla, an elementary school in Jersey City, New Jersey[4] and a Jr. High School in Brooklyn, New York City.[5] In 2004, the Roman Catholic Church, upon the request of San Juan Archbishop Roberto Gonzlez Nieves, began the process of Cordero's beatification. This is the first step on the road to canonization.

Further reading
His contributions to society have been documented in history books and also in the following books: "In search of maestro Rafael Cordero" (En busca del maestro Rafael Cordero) by Jack Delano - May 1994 "Heroes of Puerto Rico" by Jay Nelson Tuck

References
[1] Prceres Puertorriqueos; by Joaqun Freire; Publisher: Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Instruccin Pblica; 1ra Edicin (1966) [2] En busca del Maestro Rafael Cordero/In search of The Master Rafael Cordero; By Jack Delano; Publisher: La Editorial Universidad de Puerto Rico; 1 edition (May 1994); ISBN 0847700801; ISBN 978-0847700806 [3] Rafael Cordero (http:/ / www. preb. com/ biog/ rcordero. htm) [4] Rafael Cordero Elementary School 37 (http:/ / www. trulia. com/ schools/ NJ-Jersey_City/ Rafael_Cordero_Elementary_School_37/ ) [5] J.H.S. 302 RAFAEL CORDERO SCHOOL in BROOKLYN, NY (http:/ / www. city-data. com/ school/ j-h-s--302-rafael-cordero-school. html)

External links
Rafael Cordero (http://www.preb.com/biog/rcordero.htm)

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Rafael Cordero (educator) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=476479389 Contributors: Abberley2, Angela, Auntof6, Cburnett, Chrispy648, Cuajonpr, D6, EVula, Elkie, Hadal, Hajor, Jlr2007, Jmoliver, Johnteslade, JustSomeRandomGuy32, Kbdank71, Lawrlafo, Lemmey, Leuko, LizardWizard, Marine 69-71, Maximus Rex, Mercy11, Necrothesp, Peter Karlsen, Quazgaa, Ramzubio, RemoTheDog, Rjwilmsi, RogDel, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, Sesel, The Thing That Should Not Be, Timrollpickering, Zenitram82, 22 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Rafael Cordero.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Rafael_Cordero.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: Francisco Oller (1833-1917) Image:Cordero.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cordero.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Francisco Oller (1833-1917)

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported //creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/