Dr. Mayra Fernández, Director of Stepping Stones for Success Institute, is the poster lady for turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. From a childhood that promised only a dead-end barrio life, this feisty, dynamic multi-lingual fireball pulled herself up by the bootstraps, earned a doctoral degree in Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco, and went on to become a respected educator noted for her ability to inspire teachers and parents and their children to shine on the standardized tests so critical today to the kids' academic futures.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Mayra's adventures in adversity started at three months, when her parents divorced. At the age of seven, Mayra was pulled away from her aunt and uncle, the only parents she knew, to live with her mother in a New York barrio.

Looking ahead, all Mayra could see was the life of a barrio seamstress, like her mother. But in the early 1950's they got their first television-and the first one in their building-and Mayra happened to see Jackie Robinson. It changed her life. She figured if he could make it, so could she, and she became determined to build a better life. In her senior year of high school, Mayra learned of a new student loan program and found a way to get one. She attended a Catholic college and lived at home.

After graduation she married and she and her husband moved across the continent to Southern California. Mayra always knew she wanted a large family and she also knew she wanted to adopt. So, in the midst of creating a career as an educator and earning a degree in French, she had three boys, among them, a set of twins. She also adopted several more children, each from different cultures, ending that phase of her life with a total of 12 kids. Recently she adopted a family of five, ages 2-13. "I love children," is her simple explanation.

Eventually, Mayra ended up leaving her marriage of 20 years. She continued pursuing her career and raising her children while commuting from Southern California to the University of San Francisco in Northern California on the weekends to earn an Ed.D. in Multicultural Education. With that under her belt, Mayra wrote her fist book, Barrio Teacher, and began presenting workshops to parents and teachers on several themes: discipline, culture, homework, and exciting, innovative ways to teach children. Her latest efforts are simple exercises parents can use at home to help their children score well on standardized tests and compete more successfully in school. These exercises are incorporated in her two new books, Making the Grade and Exito.

Mayra is an inspiration to many, from the students she teaches to the teachers and parents who take her workshops and see how they, too, can make a difference. In 1994, while teaching 4th grade, the riots hit in LA. When the dust cleared, Mayra and her crew of kids of all races and cultures and languages- the Rainbow Team-were on the streets helping clean up. In a way, that's what Mayra is about; helping teachers, parents and kids see how things can be better.

Mayra is a dynamic speaker and workshop facilitator. She is fluent in three languages (English, Spanish and French), and has plenty of fascinating things to say in all of them.

To engage Mayra for talk shows or workshops, or as a guest speaker, contact:

Stepping Stones for Success Institute
1400 E. Marshall Place
Long Beach, CA 90807
562.208.3787
efax: 1.970.289.4344
email: info@steppingstonesforsuccess.com