1920-2011
Gloria Del Toro was founding director of Newark Public Schools bilingual program. She was supervisor of the Chapter 1 program for English proficiency which served 5000 students and operated in 23 schools. Eugene Campbell, former superintendent stated that she pioneered bilingual and bicultural education in the district.
She initiated campaigns that spurred the availability of a GED in Spanish, as well as more graduate and employment opportunities for minorities.
Earlier, Gloria was executive director of FOCUS (Field Orientation Center for the Underprivileged Spanish) and served as a caseworker for the Newark Welfare Department.
Gloria was on the board of organizations including ASPIRA, Urban League, YMCA United Way, Newark Preschool Council and the Puerto Rican Educator’s Association. In 1978, Gov Byrne appointed her to the Ethnic Advisory Council and in 1980 the Municipal Council passed a resolution in her honor. In 1986, the NJ State Assembly cited her for her leadership and service in the NJ Bilingual Program.
In 1987, when Gloria retired, 300 people came out to honor her and she was named Bilingual Educator of the Year.
Born in Puerto Rico, Gloria worked as a teacher in Puerto Rico before coming to Newark.
Bibliography
“Gloria R del Toro” Star Ledger Oct 12, 2011
“Testimonial lauds bilingual pioneer” Star Ledger Jan 26, 1987
Latino Oral Histories, NJ Hispanic Research and Information Center, Newark Public Library
Newark Library digital collection (2)
“Testimonal lauds…”Star Ledger Jan 26, 1987
“Puerto Ricans Fight Barriers” Newark News Oct 20, 1968