Maize: Plant of the Americas

Barbara M. Flores was born in Madera, California. She holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of Arizona and is involved in many children’s literacy organizations including the International Reading Association and the California Association of Bilingual Educators. Barbara based this story on a trick she played on her younger sister when they were little. She lives in San Bernardino, California, with her daughter.

Elena Castro began as a bilingual teacher in Calexico, Ca. After 19 years in the classroom she became the Coordinator of Curriculum, providing staff development on effective classroom instruction. Ms. Castro became a principal and 4 years later, Asst. Superintendent for the same district where she was responsible for all instructional programs. She joined the Imperial County Office of Education as Asst. Superintendent for Educational Services where she assisted districts on current issues concerning Literacy, EL’s, LCAP, ELD, Parent Involvement and CCSS. Ms. Castro is co-author of the Piñata and Mas Piñata Literacy Series, written for bilingual students.

Eddie Hernández has been in education for the past 34 years. He was a bilingual kindergarten teacher for several years and also taught other grade levels during his teaching career. He is co-author of the "Pinata" and "Mas Pinata" authentic emergent literacy series. During the time of its inception he co-presented around the country on early literacy, with a focus on practical strategies teachers could use in the classroom. Eddie has been a principal in the elementary level, working with English language learners, and a director at the Imperial County Office of Education, where he provided support to the districts in the county. He is currently the principal at the Imperial Valley Center for Exceptional Children working with students diagnosed with severe disabilities, autism, and downs syndrome.