America's Most Famous Teacher was Bolivian

Jaime Escalante Gutiérrez was born in 1930 in La Paz, Bolivia. The child of two schoolteachers, Escalante emigrated to the United States where, due to his unusual teaching methods and the unbelievable achievements of his inner city students, he became known as The Best Teacher in America. He died in 2010.


In April 2011 Susana Castillo, one of Bolivia's best known artists painted his portrait (pictured above) and on 5 April 2011 the Bolivian Congress gave his family a posthumous award on his behalf.

Escalante was portrayed in one of the most inspiring movies made in the U.S. Find out which movie featured the life and achievements of America's most famous teacher.