Meet Isabel

The Mother of Empowerment - Isabel Apodaca was born in Grant County, New Mexico. She came to California at a very young age and lived most of her life in Los Angeles. She attended Santa Teresita School and St. Cecilia in her elementary years. In high school, she attended Bishop Conaty Memorial Girl’s Catholic High School. Isabel graduated from California State University of Los Angeles where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and completed her course of study in the Master’s Program in Bilingual Bicultural Education while raising her four children as a single parent. Isabel is now a grandmother of eleven and another on the way.

Isabel taught in the Garvey School District, Los Angeles Unified School District and the Montebello Unified School District where she retired. Her last year with Montebello Unified Schools was teaching fourth grade multiple subjects. Although she misses her students and colleagues, she says that being retired from teaching has given her the time and opportunity to write…this is one of her passions.

As a writer, Isabel has published her first children’s book, Mr. Worm Señor Gusano and is working on the sequel and Spanish version…coming soon. Isabel is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – an organization for professional writers and illustrators affecting changes within the field of children’s literature. She is also a member of American Writer’s Inc., a consulting and marketing group.

As an educator, Isabel is committed to the empowerment of students throughout their education with 100% of students in California graduate from high school. According to Harvard University researchers, the state graduates only 71 percent of its high school students. It is even worst for African Americans; the state estimates a dropout rate of 41 percent between ninth and 12th grade; and for Latinos, it is 30 percent. Isabel states, “Let’s not wait until the ninth grade to try and solve the drop-out problem. I believe the problem can be identified as early as fourth grade. Part of the problem is illiteracy. How can a student successfully pass the California High School Exit Exam if he/she can’t read.”

As a speaker and storyteller, Isabel has presented at Baldwin Hill Public Library in Los Angeles and schools in Riverside and El Monte. She loves speaking and sharing with students. Her presentations have been successful and rewarding. Teacher and Read Across America Chairperson at Monte Vista Elementary said, “Your presentation was inspiring and energized. The children were excited and engaged. Isabel says, “It is my desire that all children become passionate about the world of literature.”