South Texas Educator’s Impact on Chicano Movement Explored in Sunday Speaker Series
Staff Reports
Edinburg, TX, January 3, 2024 — The Museum of South Texas History is set to host a captivating presentation as part of its Sunday Speaker Series, featuring South Texas educator Aurelio Manuel Montemayor and writer Thomas Ray García. The event, titled “How a South Texas Educator Transformed the Chicano Movement,” is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 14.
During the presentation, Montemayor and García will delve into their historical memoir, “El Curso de la Raza: The Education of Aurelio Manuel Montemayor.” Offering insights into the South Texas Chicano Movement, the authors will provide a unique perspective, including first-hand accounts from Montemayor himself. Key topics to be discussed include the establishment of El Curso de la Raza, the rise and fall of the Colegio Jacinto Treviño, and the pivotal role played by the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA). Additionally, the authors will shed light on the writing process of the book and share their hopes for 21st-century readers, emphasizing Montemayor’s journey from educator to activist.
Aurelio Manuel Montemayor, an esteemed educator and trainer based in San Antonio, co-founded the first accredited Chicano college, Colegio Jacinto Treviño, during the Chicano Movement. He is also known for co-founding and co-facilitating the Curso de la Raza, a weekend retreat aimed at nurturing leadership among men from marginalized communities. With a career in education spanning five decades, Montemayor currently serves as the developer of the Family Leadership in Education Model for the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA).
Thomas Ray García, a Pharr-based writer, educator, and entrepreneur, brings his unique perspective to the presentation. The author of the award-winning short story collection “The River Runs: Stories,” García centers his work on the Rio Grande as a transformative site. He is also the founder and executive director of the College Scholarship Leadership Access Program (CSLAP), a nonprofit dedicated to increasing college enrollment rates in Hidalgo County. In 2022, García ran for the State Board of Education in the Democratic primary.
The Sunday Speaker Series is included in the regular museum admission fee, with FRIENDS of MOSTHistory admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDship. Attendees must present their FRIENDship card at the Admissions Desk.
Generously supported by the Carmen C. Guerra Endowment, the program is a tribute to Mrs. Guerra’s dedication to educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley. The endowment, created by her family at the museum, aims to honor her memory and continue her commitment to providing educational opportunities to the community.