I view it as very colonial, the idea that everybody needs to be able to do this by this time

so that way everybody can bubble up.

I understand the philosophy, right?

We want our children to be prepared, but if we're not actively investing in our students

being prepared for the actual condition and life that they're going to live, then we're

just giving them all these tools in the skill set and nothing to hang it on, nothing to

apply, nothing that actually really matters.

From Futuro Media and PRX, it's Latino USA, I'm Maria Inohosa.

Today, teaching Chicano history, now and two Chicano educators in conversation.

More than 25 years ago, Nadine Cordoba, along with her sister, Patsy, made history.

For years, they were considered outstanding teachers at the tiny school in Van New Mexico,

until they were suspended for refusing to teach the prescribed curriculum.

More specifically, they didn't want the sisters to teach Chicano history.

This is a news clip from a local Albuquerque television station in 1999.

Although they later became known for teaching Chicano history, Nadine and Patsy only learned

about the movement as adults.

They read about the struggles Mexican Americans faced, and the fight for labor rights,

land, and a political identity in the United States during the 1960s and early 70s.

But Chicano movement, as it's called, changed how Patsy and Nadine thought about themselves

and their history.

And both teachers wanted to share that with their students too.

I grew up being very ashamed of who I was, being a Mexican-American or a Chicano.

...