White House Author
![](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/files/styles/person_large_photo/public/person-photo/patricia_hidalgo.jpg?itok=3jn3WfIV)
Patricia Cortez
Teacher, Alianza Elementary School
Patricia Cortez is a teacher at Alianza Elementary School, a charter school with a two-way bilingual immersion program in Watsonville, California. She has been at the school for 18 years. As a product of a bilingual education from the very same community, Patricia’s goal is to inspire the next generation to develop and take pride in their bilingualism.