Banda Profile
The Times has a good profile of the work that superintendent finalist, Jose Banda, has done in Anaheim.
Banda was born in Texas, the son of migrant farmworkers who had little formal education. His first language was Spanish.
When he was 2, the family moved to California, where he has stayed. His father began picking cotton at a ranch outside Bakersfield and eventually was promoted to supervisor. During breaks and summers, Banda and his six siblings worked in the fields, too.
"We really learned the hard work ethic," he said.
His parents also taught him the value of education.
"My opportunities came from having caring teachers," he said.
He has raised scores in a largely Latino community (although the district is less than half the size of SPS and
Banda was born in Texas, the son of migrant farmworkers who had little formal education. His first language was Spanish.
When he was 2, the family moved to California, where he has stayed. His father began picking cotton at a ranch outside Bakersfield and eventually was promoted to supervisor. During breaks and summers, Banda and his six siblings worked in the fields, too.
"We really learned the hard work ethic," he said.
His parents also taught him the value of education.
"My opportunities came from having caring teachers," he said.
He has raised scores in a largely Latino community (although the district is less than half the size of SPS and