Representation Matters - This Latina Leads With Courage: Meet Dr. Denine Echevarria, Encouraging Diverse Learners and Cultures in Her Classroom

Today's story highlights the power equity and education can have in the lives of others. Dr. Denine Echevarria is a beautiful example of resilience, determination, and passion. As an English Language Development (ELD) Instructor, she empowers her students to embrace their full identity and heritage. Dr. Denine Echevarria is a Latina leading with courage and ensuring that Latinas are represented in positions of power and leadership. May you find her story and words encouraging to push onward during your trials and bring others along with you on your journey to the top.

As a young child, I became aware of the importance of an education.?We moved from New York to a trailer park in Federal Heights, Colorado.?My dad went to night school at Aurora Community College and I remember him telling us that as soon as he finished school, we'd get a 'real' house.?Several years later, his hard work paid off and we moved from the trailer into a house.?The experience gave me an understanding of what can be accomplished through education and solidified my desire to attend college myself.

As I progressed through school, I became extremely frustrated with my inability to learn Spanish.?I started questioning my parents, demanding to know why they didn't teach me.?My parents both went to Catholic Schools in New York and during the 1960s, policies restricted dual-language learning and went as far as punishing students for speaking with an accent with a slap to the hand with a ruler.?Unfortunately, many students in this generation lost their language and subsequently did not pass it down to their children.?In high school, my Spanish teacher questioned my Puerto Rican heritage due to my sad attempts at speaking Spanish.?It was at this point that I decided to pursue something in the field of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity.?I knew that I didn't want other children to lose their language (and also their heritage) simply because they were afraid to speak their native language.?After graduating from Northglenn High School, I pursued a B.A. and M.A. at CU Denver.??

After graduation, I moved directly into teaching ELD and worked for 16 years with Linguistically Diverse students.?As our school was transitioning leadership, one of my students began asking questions about our school principal.?She asked me, "Why are all the principals boys?"?Her question brought the reality of representation to light.?When students see themselves as leaders, they pursue leadership.?My 2nd-grade student did not see herself as a potential school leader, simply because she was a girl.?Soon afterward, I began my Doctorate Program and pursued Educational Equity through my coursework.??

During my Doctorate Program, my personal life hit rock bottom.?My husband of 16 years had an affair and when I confronted him, he boxed up everything I owned and kicked me out.?When I called the police for help, they asked if he owned firearms and then encouraged me to leave the home until my ex could "cool down."?I was not represented fairly by law enforcement and I became homeless, living with my parents and with friends until I could get in front of a judge.?My parents stood by my side the entire time.?When I wanted to quit my Doctorate Program, they offered to help watch the kids, buy my groceries, make our meals, etc.?Anything my parents could do during this time, they did.?It was very important to them that I finished my program.?Four months later, I was privileged to have representation in the courtroom when Judge Trujillo oversaw my case.?She ordered my ex-husband out of the marital home and the kids and I were able to return to some normalcy.????

These life experiences had me looking at the importance of representation.?My 2nd-grade student who believed only men could be principals.?The white, male law enforcement officer who did not protect my children or me.?The Mexican-American judge who understood injustice and acted to correct it.?

I became a strong advocate for single moms and after finishing my Doctorate program, I pushed to support representation by funding the?STRIVE?educational scholarship?for other single moms.?In my journey to become a champion for single moms, I learned that Latinx populations have a 41% rate of divorce, compared to White populations, which have a 24% divorce rate.?This impacts children being raised by Latinx single mothers who are twice as likely to live in poverty as children raised by White single mothers.?I knew that the pathway to financial freedom was education.

Representation matters.?As a Latina, it is important for me to lift other Latinas up as I walk this journey.?I want young Latinas to see themselves as principals, law enforcement, judges, medical professionals, business owners, and more!?When Latinas lead with courage, they set an example for others.?Representation matters.