ALBUQUERQUE — Former Lt. Gov. Roberto Mondragon and educator Georgia Roybal have worked 17 years to get a textbook of New Mexico history published and distributed in schools statewide. That dream comes a step closer to reality this fall.

Mondragon’s and Roybal’s nonprofit group, Semos Unlimited, is rejuvenated and back to the task of completing a textbook, which will be published as a pilot project at the Atrisco Heritage Academy (AHA) high school this fall.  

 

Former Lt. Gov. Roberto Mondragon

After students have had a chance to “test-drive” the book, revisions will be made and the book will go to print in large quantities for schools throughout the state, Mondragon told the Independent.

“We are thrilled to be the school chosen to use this textbook,” said Karen Dziurzynski Cox, the department chair for history at AHA, Albuquerque’s newest public high school. “I’ve seen the book and its chapters and it is top-notch. What I love about this book is that it was written about New Mexico by prominent New Mexican authors and historians. It truly is a gem and we intend to cherish it.”

Atrisco and the history of the Atrisco Land Grant will be one chapter of the book. Other chapters include key times in the state’s history including the formation of the acequias (water irrigation) system, the Tierra Amarilla courthouse raid and the evolution of bilingualism in the state.

This is the first textbook of New Mexico history published to be used in schools. It comes on the heels of the state’s new requirement that every high school student to take New Mexico history in order to graduate.

"Semos has produced and promoted bilingual education materials for many years,” said Mondragon, who you might remember served as lieutenant governor twice under Democratic Gov. Bruce King. “We are pleased to be able to complete what has been a labor of love for us.”

Roybal said both the New Mexico Public Education Department and the U.S. Department of Education have fully supported the textbook.

After the Atrisco students test drive the book, it will be up for state adoption. It will be reviewed by three committees and then if it passes, it becomes the state-mandated textbook for New Mexico history. That would take place next summer, said Beverly Friedman, spokeswoman for the state PED.

PED Secretary Veronica Garcia said she was pleased that the Semos project got off the ground.

"It’s far better for someone like former Lt. Gov. Mondragon and local educators to put this book into circulation in our schools," Garcia said. "Far better that they do it than a publisher from another state. We are lucky to have such a collaboration of authors and experts in New Mexico putting our history out there for our students."

Semos educational materials typically are designed to maintain and augment the use of Spanish and give insight into all aspects of Hispano culture, Roybal said.

“We incorporate language, history, beliefs, family, values, customs, folklore, literature, art, music, dance and legal and government systems in all of our educational materials,” she said. “’Quien Soy’ is an interactive computer program that helps students put together personal ‘Pergamino’ or ‘Pedigree,’ after going through 36 weeks (within a nine-month school year) of instruction in a fun way.”

Semos also publishes AMIGOS, a monthly periodical, (both in print and digital form) for 626 schools in New Mexico, 113 public libraries, 42 academic libraries in the state, 87 adult-literacy programs, 228 senior citizens centers for nine months of the year that most schools are in session.

“Aspectos Culturales,” a bilingual radio program hosted by Mondragon, is aired on local and regional public radio stations and public access television stations.

Roybal, Semos Director, has a background in elementary education, Chicano Studies, Spanish and special education, and more than 20 years teaching experience. She has taught reading to children, including as a special education teacher for students with physical and learning disabilities.

In addition to serving as lieutenant governor, Mondragon, co-director of Semos, also has served as the state director of the state Agency on Aging and as director of the state Housing Authority. He has produced educational cultural radio programs such as "Aspectos Culturales" for more than 30 years.