Cyndi Loza

Education is what opened the doors to a better life for Estela LeVario-Gutierrez and her family.

She recalled her family’s struggles working in agricultural plants for less than minimum wage.

“Just seeing (my mom) suffer and seeing my dad suffer,” made her realize “that we barely had enough for food,” said LeVario-Gutierrez, 44, of Sparks.

“So, for me, once the counselor pointed out, ‘Have you thought about education and doing something else than this type of work?’ Then that’s when I decided that, for me, it needed to change because I wanted to be better.

“I wanted to do better.”

LeVario-Gutierrez was sworn in this month as the first Hispanic member of the Washoe County School Board, replacing the late Lezlie Porter. LeVario-Gutierrez was chosen from among 11 candidates in a school board vote last week.

Her term in District F ends in 2010.

“I’m very excited to have her on the school board. I think it is wonderful that we finally have Hispanic/Latino representation, but Estela will represent all students well,” Superintendent Paul Dugan said.

LeVario-Gutierrez said being on the school board is a good fit.

“(Education) opened the doors for my family and for myself,” LeVario-Gutierrez said. ” I think the key to success is education, especially if you’re going to move up in this world.

“Education — nobody can take that away from you, so for me, that’s why I got into education; I wanted to empower others.”

She has been on local and national committees focusing on student achievement, is director of counseling and career services at Truckee Meadows Community College and cofounder of Mariposa Dual Language School.

As a liaison to the Mexican government, she worked to promote bi-national educational programs that serve immigrants who temporarily work in Nevada.

“Basically, I want to make sure that I echo the fact that I’m proud to be of Mexican decent. Just like anybody else, we cherish our heritage,” LeVario-Gutierrez said.

“But more than anything, I would hope that people will see that I’m dedicated and I’m passionate about education, (and) that despite whether a child is Hispanic or African American or what have you, that I’m here to advocate for the quality of life for all children.”