Students "Stand and Deliver" for Teacher

(CBS)  They are old friends who changed each other's lives and the lives of many more: actor Edward James Olmos and teacher Jaime Escalante, now 79.

In the 1980s, Escalante was striving to turn inner city kids in Los Angeles into top-achieving math students, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.

Olmos played Escalante in the 1988 movie "Stand and Deliver," and the world learned of the inspirational teacher and the unlikely students who excelled in the nation's toughest college entrance math exam.

Escalante's students used his nickname, Kimo.

It's Escalante's real triumphs at Los Angeles' Garfield High that Olmos is hoping people will remember now, because the beloved teacher is dying.

He has bladder cancer, given a few months to live at most. His voice is weak, but his pride remains strong in the kids he helped lift out of poverty by preparing them for college.
"For 10 years we built that program, gradually," Escalante said.

Among Escalante's graduates is Erika Camacho. Before she took his algebra class her only goal was to be a cashier. Now at 34, she's a Ph.D. and math professor at Arizona State University.

"You owe him to do good because he's put so much of himself to make sure that you succeed that it's only fair to give back what he has given to you," Camacho said.

Escalante's illness and medical treatments have drained his resources.

He didn't ask for help, but now those he helped are raising money to make his last days comfortable - so far they have raised $19,000 for his care. While doctors say he can't be cured, he has never been one to quit.

Donate to Escalante's Health Fund

"I came up with one idea - you don't count how many times you are on the floor," Escalanate said. "You count how many times you get up."

Ever the teacher, Jaime Escalante is still giving lessons in determination.

[gmw7777]

If you want to know which of the "seven deadly sins" is REALLY the worst, it is ENVY, commonly known as jealousy--not pride as commonly believed. Mr. Escalante is proof of what I've always thought, namely, that a good teacher can teach a person ANYTHING. I'm a nurse and a teacher and the shame is that people waste their time being jealous and angry at others when they could spend the time learning to be successful themselves! They don't believe in themselves!! How can they then teach others? Believe in yourself, no matter what you're doing! And if you don't like what you're doing, find something you DO like! I guarantee you'll be a success!

[fathertaube]

Hi,
I am currently a college music education student, and I am considering becoming a nurse part-time in addition to being a teacher. I would love to email you a couple questions if you don't mind. My email is [e-mail]. Look forward to talking with you!

[jamespad]

After the many years of his great contributions, it was incredibly sad to witness how the terrible insecure and jealous principal, Maria Tostado, drove Mr. Escalante away from Garfield - and also Mr.Ben Jiminez and Mr. Vivavicencios. She, singlehandedly DESTROYED the finest math department in Los Angeles County (written by James Padgett, who was requested by Mr. Escalante to teach for him several times in his absence at Garfield.

[RocioOrtega]

Personally, as a high school student of the Jaime Escalante Math Program, yes, it is necessary to fundraise as much money as possible. His program @ the East Los Angeles College is better than taking it @ Garfield High School. I have just finished my 2nd year with the progam; first Algebra 2 and most recently Pre-Calculus. I am very thankful for the program and what he has done for East LA. Garfield high school will be hosting a fundraising event this saturday. Feel free to come!

[melodylady]

This is such a touching story, of the life of a man who gave so much, so that others could gain much! I applaud Mr. Jaime Escalante, for his dedication and hard work. Teaching was not a job only, for Mr. Escalante, but it was truly a calling on his life!

[melodylady]

This is such a touching story, of the life of a man who gave so much, so that others could gain much! I applaud Mr. Jaime Escalante for his dedication, and hard work, to what was not a job, but a calling on his life!