History
José A. Valdés
Beginnings
The José A. Valdés Summer Math Institute celebrates the memory of its founder, José Antonio Valdés . Mr. Valdés was born on July 19, 1928 in Cuba, where he became a math teacher. Mr. Valdés believed that all students can learn mathematics and worked to prove this true. He began bilingual classes at Andrew Hill High School, thus advancing Spanish speaking students in mathematics while they were learning English. He encouraged all students to aspire beyond math and into the more demanding and rigorous classes of Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Disappointed with the number of students, especially Hispanics and African Americans, who started high school in arithmetic classes, he developed a program of intensive mathematics for middle school students.
The original José A. Valdés Summer Math Institute continues Mr. Valdés’ dream and his commitment to his belief that all students can learn mathematics. It was because of his dream that over 3000 students were given the opportunity to move ahead into higher classes and to succeed in mathematics and thousands more do so today. Under the direction of Mr. José Valdés, a successful AP Calculus teacher for the East Side Union High School District, the program targeted students entering middle and high school who lacked the preparation for a successful Algebra experience. Key components of the program included housing the summer programs on college campuses, intensive training for teachers prior to the program, leveled courses in Mathematics, placement testing of all students, and the participation of two college-aged teaching assistants in each Valdés classroom.
Mr. Valdés was an inspiration to all. His motivation, desire, and belief in students is what makes his dream live on. Mr. Valdés passed away on December 12, 1991 and is survived by his wife Silvia, son Jose Jr., and daughters Sylvia Valdés-Fernandez, and Barbara M. Kinnon.
José Valdés Comes to Stockton
In the academic school year 2002-2003, Dr. Raúl Rodríguez, President of San Joaquin Delta College, approached SUSD Superintendent George Ridler and introduced the José Valdés Summer Math Institute concept. Dr. Rodríguez had worked with the original Valdés program while serving as Interim President at San José City College. Taking the concept with him to Los Medanos Community College, Dr. Rodríguez refined the role of the community college in the development of the program concept. As the new President of San Joaquin Delta College, Dr. Rodríguez made it a priority to establish the José Valdés Summer Math Institute in Stockton. An SUSD Valdés Coordinating Committee was established to guide the development of the SUSD program. That year, eligible students were any SUSD students in the sixth grade from throughout the district. There were five classes offered taught by five teachers and 12 teaching assistants with one site coordinator. One computer instructor provided instruction on the use of Mathematics software and long-term computer projects.
In 2003-2004, the program was expanded to double the size of the Delta College site and to include six seventh grade classes at the University of the Pacific. A year-round program was established at the CSU-Stanislaus Stockton campus. Additionally, a part-time counselor was provided to students at the San Joaquin Delta College and University of the Pacific sites.
In 2004-2005, the program expanded once again to include ten classes for both sixth and seventh grade sites. The sixth grade sites remained at San Joaquin Delta College and CSU-Stanislaus Stockton campus while the seventh grade site left the University of the Pacific and relocated to the campus of Commodore Stockton Skills School. An Assistant Site Coordinator was added to the staffs of the San Joaquin Delta College and the Commodore Stockton Skills School sites. A full-time counselor supported students at both of these campuses.
José Valdés Comes to Pacific
In 2009, the José Valdés Math Institute left the Stockton Unified School District and headed up Pacific Avenue to become housed at the University of the Pacific. Under the guidance of David Sul, a José Valdés Math Institute Coordinating Committee was established with the expressed intention of bringing the project to Pacific. The Pacific José Valdés Math Institute will serve approximately 125 students from Migrant Education Region 23. Four classes will be held at the Benerd School of Education.