In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Cordero and the second or maternal family name is Molina.
Rafael Cordero y Molina (October 24, 1790 – July 5, 1868), known as Maestro Cordero, was a self-educated Afro–Puerto Rican who provided free schooling to the children of his city regardless of race or social standing. He is also known as the "Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico".[1]
Cordero was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico,[3] then part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, into a low-income family. He was one of three children, born to Lucas Cordero and Rita Molina. His two older sisters were Gregoria and Celestina. His father worked in the tobacco fields, while his mother tended the house. Cordero, who was of African ancestry, was self-educated. His love of literature and his determination to teach others and educate himself helped him develop the skills and preparation to teach primary school.[4] Cordero received the sacrament of Confirmation at the age of 14 from Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi (1760–1814), the first native bishop of the island.[5] He grew up and lived his life as a devout Catholic. In 1820, his older sister Celestina, also a pious Catholic, established the first school for girls on the island.[6]
CareerEdit
In 1810 Cordero established a free school for all the children in his house. He taught children regardless of their race and those who could not afford an education otherwise. There, he taught reading, calligraphy, mathematics, and religious instruction.[5] Among the distinguished alumni who attended Cordero's school were Román Baldorioty de Castro, Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and José Julián Acosta. Cordero maintained his educational center for 58 years at Luna Street. He proved that racial and economic integration could be possible and accepted.[4]
Cordero was awarded the Premio de Virtud by the Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País en Puerto Rico, an economic club whose members were friends of Puerto Rico. He was given 100 pesos, which he, in turn, gave away to those in need. He used half of the money (50 pesos) to buy books and clothes for his students, and the other half was given to the homeless.
He was a great agitator for the abolition of slavery:[3]
To the teachings of Rafael Cordero more than to any man in Porto Rico is due the credit for the abolition of slavery in that island. His school was a man factory. The decree of the national Spanish assembly issued in 1873 abolished slavery in Porto Rico forever.
DeathEdit
The people's love and respect for Cordero were evidenced by the fact that more than 2,000 people attended his funeral in 1868.
Honors and venerationEdit
Puerto Rican poet José Gualberto Padilla published a poem titled "El maestro Rafael" honoring the educator. In 1890, Rafael Cordero was immortalized in a painting titled La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero by the artist Francisco Oller which can be seen in the Puerto Rican Athenaeum.
In the 1990s, the Catholic Church commenced a search for Cordero's remains which were buried at the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in San Juan, although the exact location was unknown.[4]
The house on Luna Street where Cordero taught was remodeled by the Government of Puerto Rico and is registered as a historical site in the National Register of Historic Places of the United States. There is a plaque on the outside that states the building's historical significance and its relation to him. The Puerto Rico Teachers Association annually awards the teacher who has distinguished himself or herself in the field of public or private education with the National Medal Rafael Cordero. There are various schools named after him, among them a high school in San Juan, an elementary school in Aguadilla, an elementary school in Jersey City, New Jersey,[7] and a Junior High School in Brooklyn, New York.[8]
^ abDodson, N. Barnett (24 September 1910). "Historical sketch- Noted educator and statesman". Franklin's paper the statesman. Denver, Colorado. ISSN 2577-2333. Retrieved 22 December 2022 – via Library of Congress.
^ abcEn busca del Maestro Rafael Cordero/In search of The Master Rafael Cordero; By Jack Delano; Publisher: La Editorial Universidad de Puerto Rico; 1 edition (May 1994); ISBN0-8477-0080-1; ISBN978-0-8477-0080-6
^ ab"Rafael Cordero Molina : Maestro de próceres, Siervo de Dios (ahora Venerable)". www.preb.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
^"A Modern Historical Perspective of Puerto Rican Women". p-www.iwate-pu.ac.jp. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
^"Schools in Jersey City, NJ - Public & Private Schools - Trulia". www.trulia.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
^"Ps 89 Cypress Hills School in Brooklyn, New York (NY) - Test Results, Rating, Ranking, Grades, Scores, Classes, Enrollment, Teachers, Students, and Report Card". www.city-data.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
^"Papa da inicio a beatificación de puertorriqueño Rafael Cordero"; "La Raza"; Retrieved December 9, 2013 Archived December 10, 2013, at archive.today
Further readingEdit
Cordero's contributions to society have been documented in history books and also in the following books:
"In search of maestro Rafael Cordero" (En busca del maestro Rafael Cordero) by Jack Delano - May 1994
rafael, cordero, educator, this, spanish, name, first, paternal, surname, cordero, second, maternal, family, name, molina, rafael, cordero, molina, october, 1790, july, 1868, known, maestro, cordero, self, educated, afro, puerto, rican, provided, free, schooli. In this Spanish name the first or paternal surname is Cordero and the second or maternal family name is Molina Rafael Cordero y Molina October 24 1790 July 5 1868 known as Maestro Cordero was a self educated Afro Puerto Rican who provided free schooling to the children of his city regardless of race or social standing He is also known as the Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico 1 VenerableRafael Cordero y MolinaLa Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero 1890 92 by Francisco OllerBorn 1790 10 24 24 October 1790San Juan Puerto RicoDied5 July 1868 1868 07 05 aged 77 San Juan Puerto RicoIn 2004 the Catholic Church began the process of Cordero s beatification In 2013 Pope Francis recognized him as Venerable 2 Contents 1 Early years 2 Career 3 Death 4 Honors and veneration 5 Gallery 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External linksEarly years EditCordero was born in San Juan Puerto Rico 3 then part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain into a low income family He was one of three children born to Lucas Cordero and Rita Molina His two older sisters were Gregoria and Celestina His father worked in the tobacco fields while his mother tended the house Cordero who was of African ancestry was self educated His love of literature and his determination to teach others and educate himself helped him develop the skills and preparation to teach primary school 4 Cordero received the sacrament of Confirmation at the age of 14 from Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi 1760 1814 the first native bishop of the island 5 He grew up and lived his life as a devout Catholic In 1820 his older sister Celestina also a pious Catholic established the first school for girls on the island 6 Career EditIn 1810 Cordero established a free school for all the children in his house He taught children regardless of their race and those who could not afford an education otherwise There he taught reading calligraphy mathematics and religious instruction 5 Among the distinguished alumni who attended Cordero s school were Roman Baldorioty de Castro Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and Jose Julian Acosta Cordero maintained his educational center for 58 years at Luna Street He proved that racial and economic integration could be possible and accepted 4 Cordero was awarded the Premio de Virtud by the Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais en Puerto Rico an economic club whose members were friends of Puerto Rico He was given 100 pesos which he in turn gave away to those in need He used half of the money 50 pesos to buy books and clothes for his students and the other half was given to the homeless He was a great agitator for the abolition of slavery 3 To the teachings of Rafael Cordero more than to any man in Porto Rico is due the credit for the abolition of slavery in that island His school was a man factory The decree of the national Spanish assembly issued in 1873 abolished slavery in Porto Rico forever Death EditThe people s love and respect for Cordero were evidenced by the fact that more than 2 000 people attended his funeral in 1868 Honors and veneration EditPuerto Rican poet Jose Gualberto Padilla published a poem titled El maestro Rafael honoring the educator In 1890 Rafael Cordero was immortalized in a painting titled La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero by the artist Francisco Oller which can be seen in the Puerto Rican Athenaeum In the 1990s the Catholic Church commenced a search for Cordero s remains which were buried at the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in San Juan although the exact location was unknown 4 The house on Luna Street where Cordero taught was remodeled by the Government of Puerto Rico and is registered as a historical site in the National Register of Historic Places of the United States There is a plaque on the outside that states the building s historical significance and its relation to him The Puerto Rico Teachers Association annually awards the teacher who has distinguished himself or herself in the field of public or private education with the National Medal Rafael Cordero There are various schools named after him among them a high school in San Juan an elementary school in Aguadilla an elementary school in Jersey City New Jersey 7 and a Junior High School in Brooklyn New York 8 In 2004 the Catholic Church upon the request of the Archbishop of San Juan Roberto Gonzalez Nieves O F M began the process of Cordero s beatification This is the first step on the road to possible canonization On December 9 2013 Pope Francis advanced the cause for Cordero when he declared that Cordero had heroically lived the Christian virtues and has been declared Venerable 9 Gallery Edit School named in honor of Rafael Cordero in Catano The street sign of Calle Maestro Rafael in San JuanSee also EditList of Puerto Ricans List of Puerto Ricans of African descent Black history in Puerto RicoReferences Edit Proceres Puertorriquenos by Joaquin Freire Publisher Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico Departamento de Instruccion Publica 1ra Edicion 1966 http touch metro pr mundo papa autoriza camino a beatificacion del maestro rafael cordero pGXmli HBqTbRjrGIh6 dead link a b Dodson N Barnett 24 September 1910 Historical sketch Noted educator and statesman Franklin s paper the statesman Denver Colorado ISSN 2577 2333 Retrieved 22 December 2022 via Library of Congress a b c En busca del Maestro Rafael Cordero In search of The Master Rafael Cordero By Jack Delano Publisher La Editorial Universidad de Puerto Rico 1 edition May 1994 ISBN 0 8477 0080 1 ISBN 978 0 8477 0080 6 a b Rafael Cordero Molina Maestro de proceres Siervo de Dios ahora Venerable www preb com Retrieved 29 December 2017 A Modern Historical Perspective of Puerto Rican Women p www iwate pu ac jp Retrieved 29 December 2017 Schools in Jersey City NJ Public amp Private Schools Trulia www trulia com Retrieved 29 December 2017 Ps 89 Cypress Hills School in Brooklyn New York NY Test Results Rating Ranking Grades Scores Classes Enrollment Teachers Students and Report Card www city data com Retrieved 29 December 2017 Papa da inicio a beatificacion de puertorriqueno Rafael Cordero La Raza Retrieved December 9 2013 Archived December 10 2013 at archive todayFurther reading EditCordero s contributions to society have been documented in history books and also in the following books In search of maestro Rafael Cordero En busca del maestro Rafael Cordero by Jack Delano May 1994 Heroes of Puerto Rico by Jay Nelson Tuck March 1970External links EditRafael Cordero Portals Biography Catholicism Puerto Rico Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rafael Cordero educator amp oldid 1172024440, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
