President Obama, Edward James Olmos Remember 'Stand And Deliver' Inspiration Jaime Escalante

By Daniela Capistrano

Many have been in mourning since Jaime Escalante's passing on Tuesday. The L.A. teacher empowered East Los Angeles high school students to excel in advanced math, believing that "learning is possible for all."

Garfield High School students, teachers and alumni will meet this morning to remember the iconic educator in a memorial event.

"R.I.P. Jaime Escalante" (downtown LA mural)

Jaime Escalante inspired many people, including President Obama, who released a statement Wednesday afternoon:

"Throughout his career, Jaime opened the doors of success and higher education for his students one by one and proved that where a person came from did not have to determine how far they could go. He instilled knowledge in his students, but more importantly, he helped them find the passion and the will to fulfill their potential."

Edward James Olmos, who starred in the film adaptation of Escalante's story, 'Stand and Deliver,' shared his thoughts with KACB-TV Los Angeles:

"Jaime Escalante will forever be the most well known teacher in America and the world," said Olmos.

Mr. Escalante pioneered the use of Advanced Placement, a program of college-level courses and tests designed for high-achieving private schools, to raise standards in average and below-average public schools. A teacher in La Paz before he emigrated to the U.S., Escalante had to study English at night for years to get his California teaching credentials and return to the classroom.

Tr3s Comunidad, how has Jaime Escalante's life inspired you? Leave your thoughts in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Edward James Olmos, George Lopez, Jaime Escalante