30 quotes
A New Teacher Challenges the Status Quo
Taglines
In 1982, a new troublemaker hit Garfield High... He was tough. He was wild. He was willing to fight. He was the new math teacher.
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Teacher Questions Allegations of Student Cheating
Jaime Escalante
I'm Jaime Escalante. I'm the A.P. Calculus teacher from Garfield High.
Dr. Pearson
I'm Dr. Pearson and this is Dr. Ramirez.
Jaime Escalante
I feel, uh, I have a right to know why you think my students cheated.
Dr. Pearson
Mr. Escalante, I'm sorry you drove all the way out here...but we're not at liberty to discuss the controversy with you.
Jaime Escalante
I would just like to see the test, that's all.
Dr. Ramirez
Mr. Escalante, I understand what you're going through here...but I repeat, the problem is between the E.T.S. and the students.
Jaime Escalante
I would just like to see what kind of mistakes were made. Once again, I'm their teacher. I know my kids.
Dr. Pearson
Mr. Escalante, have a seat.
Jaime Escalante
No no, thank you.
Dr. Pearson
There were some...unorthodox, even illogical, computations for students of this caliber. Mistakes in simple math.
Jaime Escalante
Maybe they all made the same mistakes because they all have the same teacher teaching them the same program. I taught them step by step, all the same way.
Dr. Pearson
Look, your students averaged fewer than four wrong on the multiple choice...where other schools average, what, 14 to 18 incorrect answers? And we found out that most of your kids finished the test with time to spare.
Jaime Escalante
They should be rewarded, not punished.
Dr. Ramirez
Mr. Escalante, the Educational Testing Service...does not act capriciously. Every major university in the United States subscribes to our service.
[looks away]
Jaime Escalante
I would just like to see the proof of wrongdoing. I would like to see the tests.
Dr. Ramirez
Let me reiterate, there has been no proof of wrongdoing here, only a suspicion of cheating.
[looks away]
Jaime Escalante
In this country ], ].
[[w:Presumption of innocence|one is innocent until proven guilty; [w:Presumption of guilt|not the other way around]
Dr. Pearson
If you are so confident of your students abilities, why not encourage them to retest?
Jaime Escalante
Why should I?
Dr. Pearson
If they don't, everyone will assume they cheated.
Jaime Escalante
Everyone will assume they cheated if they do. I want to see the test, please!
Dr. Ramirez
We're going around in circles here. Mr. Escalante, we are psychometricians, thorough to the point of boring. We're not out to get anybody.
Jaime Escalante
Not so fast. If this was a simple situation of two students cheating, that's one thing. But by making a blanket accusation, you're saying that there was a conspiracy. Every conspiracy has a leader. Who better qualify to be the leader than the teacher?
Dr. Ramirez
Mr. Escalante, nobody is accusing you here of anything.
Jaime Escalante
Not only me...the school, the parents, the entire community.
Dr. Ramirez
Scores this high, I guarantee you, will be questioned regardless of the school.
Jaime Escalante
Yes, but if this was Beverly Hills High School they wouldn't have sent you two to investigate.
Dr. Ramirez
Mr. Escalante, I hope you're not insinuating that we haven't earned our position here. Cause no one has given me a damn thing. I suggest... you're letting your emotions get the best of you.
[beat, looks away; points to Escalante]
Jaime Escalante
If no one has given you a damn thing, you should not be taking it away from my kids!
Dr. Ramirez
The identity— of the students were concealed until it was determined that irregularities existed.
[raising his voice; composes himself]
Jaime Escalante
Those scores would have never been questioned if my kids did not have Spanish surnames and come from barrio schools! You know that!
Dr. Ramirez
All right. We've been patiently explaining our position and listening to your complaints, but now...our conversation is over.
[beat, looks away]
Jaime Escalante
There's something going on here that nobody is talking about! And you know what that is!
Dr. Ramirez
No one has the right to accuse me of racism. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO ACCUSE ME OF RACISM!
[beat, looks at Escalante]
Jaime Escalante
I KNOW WELL HOW TO SPELL DISCRIMINATION! I thought this was over a long time ago. Are you doing it this to my kids?
Dr. Pearson
There are two kinds of racism, Mr. Escalante: Singling out a group because they're members of a minority, and not singling out a group because they're members of a minority.
[looks away, composed; looks at Escalante]
Jaime Escalante
My kids could teach you a thing or two, Johnny!
Dr. Pearson
I'm gonna call security if you can't control yourself, Escalante.
Jaime Escalante
Go for it! You didn't show me the test! You didn't prove anything! My kids didn't do anything! I'm gonna prove you guys wrong.
Dr. Ramirez
I hope you do, because it's not between you and me.
Jaime Escalante
Maybe not. But if I catch you on the street, I'm gonna kick the shit out of you.
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Defining Success Beyond Traditional Paths
Jaime Escalante
She'll just be a fat winch, waste her life away in your restaurant. You have to understand - she's top student.
Mr. Delgado
I started washing dishes for a nickel an hour. Now I own this place. Did I waste my life?
Jaime Escalante
I washed dishes, too, when I first came to this country.
Mr. Delgado
Good! Why don't you put on an apron and give us a hand?
Jaime Escalante
Ana could go to college, come back, and teach you how to run this place.
Mr. Delgado
Professor Escalante, I don't want your money. And I don't need your business.
[He tears up the tab for Jaime's dinner]
Jaime Escalante
Tip, for Ana. By the way, I notice you put hot chillies in your dip to sell extra beer - don't you?
[He reaches into his wallet, dropping the money on the table anyway]
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Reinstating Original Scores for Student Success
Jesse Molina
(on phone) Yes, uh, this is Mr. Molina calling again. I speak to Dr...Yes, I did. Oh you do? Yes! Uh, yes! I-I'd like that very much, uh. Uh, one moment. Yes, um, yes I'm aware of the scoring. Three is uh, uh a passing grade, five is a perfect grade. Yes, I'm ready. Go ahead. Diaz, Maria, four. Sinfuentes, Mark, five. Narvarra, Jose, four.
Jaime Escalante
I want the original scores reinstated.
Jesse Molina
Santos, Daniel, four. Escobar, Guadalupe, five. Camejo, Claudia, four. Ana Delgado, four. Garcia, Francisco, three. Fuentes, Rafaela, four. Javier Perales, five. Guitaro, Armando, four. Angel Guzman...five. Estelle, tell them to hold the meeting. We coming with great news. Um, Pernajas, Juliana, five. Hernandez, Alejandro, four. Castro, Monica, four.
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Conflict Between Personal Sacrifice and Student Impact
Jaime Escalante
You know what kills me... it's that they lost the confidence in the system they're now finally qualified to be a part of. I don't know why I'm losing sleep over this. I don't need it. I could be making more money, with less hours, and have people treat me with respect.
[before confronting the ETS investigators]
Fabiola Escalante
Respect? Jaime, those kids love you.
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The Importance of Desire and Hard Work
Jaime Escalante
There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of these two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do. Math is the great equalizer... When you go for a job, the person giving you that job will not want to hear your problems; ergo, neither do I. You're going to work harder here than you've ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask from you is ganas. Desire. And maybe a haircut. If you don't have the ganas, I will give it to you, because I'm an expert.
[to his students; Passing one boy, he ruffles up the students hair; Everyone laughs]
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Balancing Academics and Personal Life
Jaime Escalante
This girl's gotta do some work from the neck up. We're going to have to stay late again. Of course you know, we have pizza because they deliver. We can get fried chicken, hamburgers with cheese. We'll need donations. No, really, you owe me money anyway. You don't deserve the grades you're getting.
[about Claudia]
Jaime Escalante
Where are you going? Late for another date? She's got more boyfriends than ].
[[Elizabeth Taylor]
Claudia Camenjo
I don't appreciate you using my personal life to entertain this class.
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First in Class, Curious About Calculus
Angel Guzman
Hey, aren't you proud of me? I'm the first one here! What's calcoolus?
[pause]
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A Warning Against Reckless Actions
Jaime Escalante
I wouldn't do that if I was you. Might lose a finger and won't be able to count to ten.
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Negative Relationships in a Lighthearted Exchange
Raquel Ortega
Can you have negative girlfriends?
Jaime Escalante
No, only negative boyfriends. ].
[[w:Sayings_of_Jesus_on_the_cross#1._Father,_forgive_them;_for_they_know_not_what_they_do|Forgive them, for they not know what they do]
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Conflict Over Nicknames in Class Discussion
Angel Guzman
Yeah, I have the same answer as gordita.
Guadalupe "Lupe" Escobar
Don't call me gordita, pendejo.
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Empowerment Through Education and Self-Assertion
Jaime Escalante
I am El Cyclone,... from Bolivia. One-man gang. This classroom is my domain. Don't give me no gas, or I'll jump on your face and tattoo you chromosomes... If the only thing you know how to do is add or subtract, you will only be prepared to do one thing: Pump gas.
[to Chuco and Company]
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Cheating and Consequences in Academic Pressure
Angel Guzman
We're busted, why don't we just admit it?
Dr. Ramirez
How'd you do it?
Angel Guzman
I got the test ahead of time. I passed it out to all the others.
Dr. Pearson
How did you get the test?
Angel Guzman
The mailman I strangled him and his body's decomposing in my locker.
[pause]
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Preparation and Focus for Success
Jaime Escalante
It'll be harder. You can count on that. Just go step-by-step and play defense. Don't bring anything. No pencils, no erasers, nothing. Don't wear clothes with too many pockets. Don't let your eyes wander. No spacing out. Don't give them any opportunity to call you cheaters. You are the true dreamers. And dreams accomplish wonderful things. You're the best. Tomorrow you'll prove that you're the champs. Start with Chapter 1.
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A Lesson in Responsibility and Independence
Jaime Escalante
Do you want me to do it for you?
Pancho
Yes.
Jaime Escalante
You're supposed to say no.
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Expectations Shape Student Achievement
Jaime Escalante
Students will rise to the level of expectation, Senor Molina.
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Questioning Relationships and Mathematical Concepts
Jaime Escalante
You think you got it, Johnny? Think you have the answer?
Johnny
Juan is X, Carlos is Y, Pedro is X + Y. Is Pedro bisexual or straight.
Jaime Escalante
Sometimes I worry about you.
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Concerns About Future Choices and Consequences
Claudia Camejo
You're worried that we'll screw up royally tomorrow, aren't you?
Jamie Escalante
Tomorrow's another day. I'm worried you're gonna screw up the rest of your lives.
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Understanding Learning Challenges in Education
Jaime Escalante
It's not that they're stupid, it's just that they don't know anything.
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Searching for Clarity in Confusion
Jaime Escalante
You're like a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat there isn't there.
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The Nature of Stars and Perception
Chuco
Lots of stars up there, Homey. Not too polluted.
Angel
The stars aren't really there, ese. No, what you're looking at is where they used to be, man. It takes the light a thousand years to reach the Earth. You know, for all we know, they burned out a long time ago, man. God pulled the plug on us. He didn't tell nobody.
Chuco
The stars are out there, homeboy. I don't care what you say.
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Forgotten Pencil and Life's Choices
Jaime Escalante
Go to woodshop and make yourself a shoeshine box. You're gonna need it.
Angel Guzman
You're the man, you know? Why don't you put them in college, huh? So dumb taco venders like me can pick their vegetables for them, collect their garbage, clip their poodles toenails. I may be a sinner, but I'm willing to pay for my sins.
Jaime Escalante
Right. See you at three.
Angel Guzman
I got more bad news for you, profe. I know this is really gonna trip you out, but... I forgot my pencil.
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A Lesson in Multiplication and Respect
Jaime Escalante
(to a thug) You know the times tables?
Thug
I know the ones, the twos...the threes (shows him The Finger)
Jaime Escalante
(whispering) Ahhh The Fingerman ehh?. I am The Fingerman too; you know what I can do? I can multiply by nine. Three times nine? (starts counting with his fingers) one..two..three, what do you got? (shows fingers) twenty seven; six times nine, one..two..three..four..five..six, what do you got? (shows fingers again) fifty four; how about something more difficult? How about eight times nine? one..two..three..four..five..six..seven..eight, what do you got? (shows fingers a third time) seventy two.
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Audit and Influence in Conversation
Jaime Escalante
Are your friends auditing?
Thug
I audited them to come with me.
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Accountability in Education and Life
Jaime Escalante
What you got?
Pancho
I got a core.
Jaime Escalante
You owe me a hundred percent. And I'll see you in the People's Court.
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Pressure and Integrity in Education
Jaime Escalante
Do you think the students cheated?
Raquel
Mr. Escalante, you put these kids under an awful lot of pressure. They would have gone to any lengths to please you.
Jaime Escalante
You didn't answer my question.
Raquel
Well... every night when I go to bed, I watch the television news. I see a lot of people go on trial. They always deny everything, or their lawyers say they were insane at the time. A lot of them get off. But I believe that most people who get caught today are guilty. Don't you?
Jaime Escalante
Yup. I know what you mean.
[angrily]
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Cultural Insights and Mathematical Principles in Dialogue
Jaime Escalante
Did you know that neither the Greeks nor the Romans were capable of using the concept of zero? It was your ancestors, the Mayans, who first contemplated the zero. The absence of value. True story. You burros have math in your blood...
Thug
Hey Kimo sabe todo ehh? The man knows everything. (Calling him) Hey Kimo Sabe.
Jaime Escalante
(Approving) Órale. Now, a negative times a negative equals a positive. Why? We're gonna need a lot of Kleenexes - There's gonna be a lot of bloodshed.
[The whole class looks at him blankly; he sighs deeply and shakes his head]
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Embracing Senior Year Relaxation
Guadalupe "Lupe" Escobar
Kemo, we're seniors. This is our year to slack off.
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Challenging Perceptions of Intelligence
Jaime Escalante
Wouldn't want anyone thinking you're intelligent, would you?
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A Teacher's Challenge in Education
Taglines
At a tough school one teacher and one class proved to America they could...Stand and Deliver.
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