Rafael Cordero (educator)

Rafael Cordero (October, 1790–July 5, 1868), known as "The Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico", was a self-educated Puerto Rican who provided free schooling to children regardless of their race or social standing.^[1]

Early years

Cordero (birth name: Rafael Cordero y Molina ^{[note 1]}) was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico into a poor family, his father Lucas Cordero worked in the tobacco fields and his mother was Rita Molina. He was one of three siblings, his two older sisters were Gregoria and Celestina. Cordero, who was of African ancestry, was self-educated. His love of literature and his determination to teach and educate himself helped him to develop the skills and preparation to teach primary school.^[2] Cordero, a devout Catholic, received the rite of Confirmation at fourteen years old from Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi (1760–1814), the first Puerto Rican to be consecrated Bishop in San Juan.^[3] In 1820, his older sister, Celestina Cordero, established the first school for girls.^[4]

Educator

At the beginning of the 19th century Rafael Cordero established, in his house, a free school for all children, regardless of race, who were unable to afford an education otherwise. Cordero maintained his educational center for 58 years at Luna Street in San Juan. There he taught reading, calligraphy, mathematics and Catholic instruction.^[3] Among the distinguished alumni who attended Cordero's school were Román Baldorioty de Castro, Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and José Julián Acosta. He proved that racial and economic integration could be possible and accepted.^[2]

He was awarded the Premio de Virtud by La Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País, an economic club whose members were friends of Puerto Rico. He was given 100 pesos, which he in turn gave away to those in need. He used half of the money (50 pesos) to buy books and clothes for his students and the other half was given to the homeless.

The people's love and respect for Cordero was evidenced by the fact that more than 2,000 people attended his funeral in 1868. The Catholic Church plans to search for Cordero’s remains which were buried at the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in San Juan, although the exact location is unknown.^[2]

Honors and recognitions

"La escuela del maestro Cordero" (1890-92), by Francisco Oller

Puerto Rican poet José Gualberto Padilla published a poem titled "El maestro Rafael" honoring the educator. In 1890, Rafael Cordero was immortalized in a painting titled La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero by the artist Francisco Oller which can be seen in the Puerto Rican Athenaeum.

The house in Luna Street, where Rafael Cordero taught, was remodeled by the Government of Puerto Rico and is registered as a historical site in the National Register of Historical Places. There is a plaque on the outside that states the historical significance of the building and its relation to Rafael Cordero. The Puerto Rico Teachers Association annually awards the teacher who has distinguished himself or herself in the field of public or private education with the National Medal Rafael Cordero. There are various schools named after him, among them a high school in San Juan, an elementary school in Aguadilla, an elementary school in Jersey City, New Jersey^[5] and a Jr. High School in Brooklyn, New York City.^[6]

In 2004, the Roman Catholic Church, upon the request of San Juan Archbishop Roberto González Nieves, began the process of Cordero's beatification. This is the first step on the road to canonization. On December 9, 2013, Pope Francis advanced the sainthood of Cordero when he declared that Cordero lived the Christian virtues in a heroic way and is venerable.^[7]

Further reading

His contributions to society have been documented in history books and also in the following books:

• "In search of maestro Rafael Cordero" (En busca del maestro Rafael Cordero) by Jack Delano - May 1994
• "Heroes of Puerto Rico" by Jay Nelson Tuck

Notes

1. ↑
   This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Cordero and the second or maternal family name is Molina.

See also

• List of Puerto Ricans
• List of Puerto Ricans of African descent
• Black history in Puerto Rico

References

External links

• Rafael Cordero