Orange TA member brings Cesar Chavez' legacy to life for students
EDITOR'S NOTE: This episode was recorded and published before allegations came to light accusing Cesar Chavez of sexually abusing several women and girls, including Dolores Huertes, who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Chavez. More information and reactions to the allegations, including a statement from the Chavez family commending the courage of the survivors for coming forward, can be found here.
Nearly 100 years after Cesar Chavez was born, his mission and message are as important now as ever. That's why when Orange High School Spanish teacher Emily Machias had the opportunity to bring Cesar Chavez's grandson to Orange City Schools during their Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in 2025, she jumped at the chance to have her students hear from Andres Chavez about the labor leader and civil rights activist's enduring legacy. In this episode, Macias shares her passion for showing students the wider world around them, whether that means bringing them new perspectives, like those of Andres Chavez as he carries on his grandfather's work, or bringing them to new parts of the world, including a recent trip to Peru that included eye-opening visits to homes and a school in a remote part of that country.
IN THE NEWS| Check out some of the local news coverage of Andres Chavez' visit to Pepper Pike:
Nearly 100 years after Cesar Chavez was born, his mission and message are as important now as ever. That's why when Orange High School Spanish teacher Emily Machias had the opportunity to bring Cesar Chavez's grandson to Orange City Schools during their Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in 2025, she jumped at the chance to have her students hear from Andres Chavez about the labor leader and civil rights activist's enduring legacy. In this episode, Macias shares her passion for showing students the wider world around them, whether that means bringing them new perspectives, like those of Andres Chavez as he carries on his grandfather's work, or bringing them to new parts of the world, including a recent trip to Peru that included eye-opening visits to homes and a school in a remote part of that country.
IN THE NEWS| Check out some of the local news coverage of Andres Chavez' visit to Pepper Pike:
- Andres Chavez tells crowd at Orange High School how he works to keep grandfather’s legacy alive - cleveland.com
- Northeast Ohio events will honor Cesar Chavez's labor legacy in the state and beyond | Ideastream Public Media
- Grandson of civil rights activist Cesar Chavez to speak Oct. 16 at Orange High School - cleveland.com
LEARN MORE | For more information about the Cesar Chavez Foundation and its ongoing work, click here.
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Featured Public Education Matters guests:
- Emily Macias, Orange Teachers Association member
- Emily Macias is a veteran Spanish educator at Orange High School in Pepper Pike, Ohio, where she has taught for 23 years. In addition to her work in the classroom, she serves as the high school’s ROX (Ruling Our Experiences) advisor, supporting the empowerment and leadership development of young women.
- Emily is also an active member of the Orange Teachers Association, serving as a building representative, and contributes to national assessment efforts through her work with the College Board as an AP Spanish exam reader.
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- The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
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This episode was recorded on December 4, 2025.
