Sending Son To MIT Only Latest Coup For San Leandro Public School Family

Talk about parental pride.

When 17-year-old Martin Martinez delivers the valedictory address to San Leandro High School and heads to MIT on a full scholarship, his parents will be cheering him on -- as they did for his older sister and brother, and as they are doing for their youngest, Celia, in the robotics club at Bancoft Middle School.

"I believe if you want a human being to eat an apple you have to show them an apple, so they'll know that they want it," said Juan Martinez.

He dropped out of medical school in Mexico and came to the United States at age 27 to support a family as a garbage truck driver.

His wife, Martina Martinez, came to the United States at age 10. The daughter of a bracero, Martina left school after the eighth grade to go to work, but she later took courses in psychology to discover ways to make learning fun.

Together, Juan and Martina have imbued their children with a love of learning and a reservoir of self-confidence. Their eldest, Patricia, 26, also attended MIT. Juan Jr., 19, is studying mechanical engineering at UC Davis.

"We rented an apartment right across from the library so we could take out all the books we wanted," said Martina, adding, "As soon as you wake up their brain, children start looking for something to do."

Apart from raising four remarkable children, Juan and Martina have been active on the school district's English Learners' Advisory Committee, helping public school educators tailor instruction to the needs of children from families where English was not the native tongue at home.

They share some of their ideas and enthusiasm in this Patch video. 

What does the Martinez family experience say to you? Share a comment below.