Outstanding Beyond the Fields
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2018
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Outstanding Beyond the Fields was started before walls between countries were proposed – before migrants were psychologically rendered and sent reeling by the current political environment. We wanted the book to demonstrate to our audience how migrant farm workers are some of the most marvelous, grounded people: a people who yearn to be judged for their achievements and contributions to society and not their nationality. Although most of the stories include the suffering associated with poverty, these individuals never complained and in fact became stronger through their struggles in their quest for a better life.
The book documents the influence and educational significance outdoor education has had on migratory farm worker families through personal oral histories and historical narrative. The University of California’s recognition of the underrepresentation of migrant farm workers in alternative education programs led to the creation of the California Mini-Corps Outdoor Education Program in the early 1970s and subsequently the Inter-Act Education Program in 1990. Nearly fifty years of this work has produced thousands of professionals who attest to the transformative nature of their experiences. Many of these individuals have positively impacted our society nationally through their work in professional fields such as superintendents, college professors, teachers, social workers, health professionals and many other sectors of society.
Storytelling is the primary method used to describe the life-changing experiences of these selected migrant students. The stories are about building relationships, resilience, role models, professional leadership, developing confidence, environmental appreciation, teaching and counseling. They are told against a background of cultural and historical issues that remain salient in the national discussion. The stories are a way to sustain culturally responsive pedagogy for a much-maligned group.
Preface
Foreword
Chapter 1 Outdoor Education for Migrant Students (1967–2018)
1. The Choirboy: Gabe Terronez
Chapter 2 The Lives of Migrant Farmworkers (1800–2018)
2. La Herencia (The Inheritance): Teofilo & Maria Lomeli
Chapter 3 California Mini-Corps Outdoor Education (1970–2018)
3. Community Activist: Leticia Maldonado (1970–1973)
4. Migrant Wilderness Naturalist: Leticia Contreras (1972–1977)
5. Lit Fire: Jose Lomeli (1978–1995)
6. Athlete-Scholar: Jose Manzo (1984–1997)
7. Servant Leader: Salvador Avalos (1988–1995)
Chapter 4 Inter-Act Education (1990–2018)
8. The Mobile Dentist: Jose and Augie
9. All Roads Lead to Highway 33: Jose and Augie
10. Education First: Carlos Castillo (1998–Present)
11. Family First!: Jeanette Loaiza (1999–Present)
12. Education as Avocation: Francisca Hernandez (1999–2005)
13. DREAMer: Carlos Rizo (2007–Present)
14. Catalina: Tony Valdez (2007–Present)
Chapter 5 Interpersonal Interaction
15. Gifts: Roberto (Summer 2014)
16. Camping to Life Lesson Experience: Estefani Rodriguez (2010—Present)
17. The Stowaway: Bobby (Summer 2003)
18. Dos Hermanos (Two Brothers): (Summer 2012)
19. Rafael: (Summer 2011–2013)
Group Cooperation Activities
Conclusion
Bibliography
Dr. Jose Lomeli is a Professor in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development at California State University. He was also a College Coordinator for the California Mini-Corps Program at Porterville College and at California State University, Fresno. Prior to this he was a Resource Teacher and an Elementary Teacher for the public schools. As an education professor he has taught courses in Curriculum, Instruction, Educational Psychology, Culturally Responsive Instruction, and Student Teaching Supervision. He has also taught graduate courses in Advanced Instructional Theories and advised students pursuing a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Lomeli is well known throughout California in the area of personal and leadership development through the use of Outdoor Education. His Inter-Act Education organization https://www.interacteducation.com/ has been recognized at an international level on the Univision Television Program “Despierta America” (1997) as well as on a PBS special A Migrant Way of Life (2004) for his work in developing exemplary approaches to working with immigrant youth. In the past thirty years, approximately 55,000 participants have experienced one of Dr. Lomeli’s leadership institutes. Most recently Dr. Lomeli authored Outstanding Beyond the Fields (2018) a book about migrant farm workers’ lives and their transformative experiences in outdoor education. His work in this area also resulted in his selection as one of 42 Latino male role models for youth in California in a California Department of Education book titled Encuentros: Hombre a Hombre (2000). His experience with the California Department of Education as a California Mini-Corps Program participant and administrator led to an interest and research in the development of programs that produced a culturally diverse teaching force using a Five year vs Fifth year approach to teacher preparation. The result of this research was the creation of the California Teaching Fellows Program in 1997. Thousands of college students have participated in this program providing extensive instructional services in numerous school districts throughout the valley for about twenty four years. Dr. Lomeli has recently partnered with the Education and Leadership Foundation and created a tutoring program that specializes in providing mentoring and English Learner services for students in Fresno Unified School District.
https://kremen.fresnostate.edu/about/directory/ci/lomeli-jose.html
When people cross the border, they’re called immigrants. But when people fight for their dreams no matter the place, country or language, they can be called fighters. Outstanding Beyond the Fields includes a series of powerful stories about immigrants who came to America to fight their own challenges to succeed in life. I have been impacted by these stories not only personally but in my student career. I recommend this book to everyone who needs a little push to believe in themselves. I invite them to read these incredible stories from people who had many reasons to fail but never gave up.
Guadalupe Arellano
Student
Professor Lomeli’s book “Outstanding beyond the fields,” was a great book. After reading the first chapter and reading about his family’s experience I was hooked. I love reading real life stories and the stories in his book were inspirational and amazing. There were many times that I felt a connection within the people in the stories to my own experiences and it just made it very real. The many life lessons and perseverance of all the stories within Lomeli’s book made me understand and reflect on the “why” of me deciding to pursue a career as an educator.
Amy Lo
Student
Outstanding Beyond the Fields highlights important challenges that students might be facing and discusses how building relationships with students can change the outcome of their life. As a woman of color, who comes from a cultural background of gangs and working in the fields, I would say this book gives a great perspective into how education can change the overall success of a student’s future. This book helped me understand just how important it is to be grateful for the positive role models I’ve had throughout my life and how I need to continue to be someone else’s positive role model. Outstanding Beyond the Fields is an amazing book that every person in the education field should read.
Miranda Vance-Zaragoza
Student
This textbook is unlike any other that I have used during my collegiate career. It reads like a novel and will leave you with a refreshed appreciation of education. The stories told throughout these pages helped me strengthen my connections with my family and my love of the education profession. Outstanding in the Fields would be a brilliant addition to any educator’s library.
Katy Hunter
Student
Fresno State Magazine, Fall 2019: https://magazine.fresnostate.edu/the-upside-to-learning-outside/#gallery