Bien Hecho: Margarita Muñiz, Pioneer In Boston Bilingual Education
Margarita Muñiz was a devoted educator with a mission, making bilingual learning her top priority.
After teaching ESL in the Boston area for several years, Muñiz became the founding principal of Rafael Hernández Two-Way Bilingual School in 1981. As one of the only places that was able to meet the educational needs of the growing immigrant population, Muñiz pushed to expand the school. Hernandez elementary soon relocated to a larger site, though its location in a rough neighborhood caused some to doubt that parents would want to send their kids there.
After working with a local priest and striking a peace-agreement with local roughnecks, the school opened and flourished over the years, graduating scores of high-achieving bilingual students of various ethnic backgrounds.
Muñiz’s work and dedication to the Hernandez K-8 school inspired other educators, some of whom she mentored, to open a bilingual high school in her name. Modeled after the Hernandez school, and with the input of Muñiz, Meg Campbell and Diana Lam laid the groundwork for the Margarita Muñiz Academy.
Sadly, Muñiz passed away on November 18th as a result of a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The academy named after her is set to open in the fall of 2012, carrying on her legacy of bringing quality bilingual education to the Boston area.
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