Los Angeles Universal Preschool is a high-quality early education program for children living in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles County. Celia Ayala is the CEO of LAUP.
The program was created in 2004 and is funded by First 5 LA, the commission established by Proposition 10.
LAUP's goal is to make preschool available for working class families and ensure that every 4-year-old child receives quality education, regardless of his or her family's economic status.
For Ayala, being in charge of a program of this caliber where she is an integral part of transforming the preschool system in L.A. and making a difference in every child's future, means the world to her.
Another hero of education is famed East Los Angeles math teacher Jaime Escalante. Besides inspiring thousands of students to pursue careers in math and engineering, Escalante also inspired the script for the movie "Stand and Deliver."
Vista L.A. spoke with former students and actor Edward James Olmos, who portrayed the educator in the movie.
To learn more about Los Angeles Universal Preschool, visit:
www.laup.net
