Margarita Lives Her Dreams
Written by Dr. Hollee Freeman
Illustrated by Ariana Chariton
Kia and her friends loved learning about the history of the Hernández School. They learned that there was a very special principal of the Hernandez School named Margarita Muñiz.
Margarita Muñiz was born in Cuba. When she was 11 years old, Margarita moved to the United States. She went without her family.
In the United States, Margarita lived in an orphanage with other kids from Cuba. She missed her mom and dad and hoped to see them. Margarita went to college in Boston. In that same year, her mom and dad finally got to come to the United States. They were all so glad to be together in Boston.
After college, Margarita worked as a teacher at a school in Boston. She helped kids learn in both English and Spanish. Margarita wanted to become a principal. She spotted a school that she liked. The school was named after a musician, Rafael Hernández. The school looked old, so Margarita and the neighbors fixed it. They picked up trash, painted the steps, and planted pretty flowers.
Margarita served as the principal of the Hernández School for 30 years! Students at the Hernández School worked together and learned in both English and Spanish. Students and families in Boston all thanked Margarita for her work.
Margarita wanted students to be creative. Students acted in a lot of plays at the Hernández School. In 2009, students acted in a play about the life of Margarita. The kids danced, sang, and talked about Margarita’s wild times with animals and her love for all kinds of people.
Margarita loved traveling all over the world. She even rafted down a river in Utah!
One day, Margarita learned that she was very sick. She and her friend Ken planned to visit a lot of places. They traveled to Cuba, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, Norway, and many more places that they had always wanted to visit.
Margarita died in 2011. Everyone in the neighborhood planted trees. The trees helped the neighbors think of Margarita.
Many people talked about the great things Margarita did. Neighbors told how special she was to the them, to the Hernández School, and to the city of Boston.
Margarita often said that she wanted students to live their dreams. She loved this poem by Antonio Machado.
Caminante,
No hay camino
Se hace el camino al andar
Traveler,
There is no path
The path is made by walking
TALK ABOUT THE TEXT
1. What did Margarita do after college?
2. How did Margarita make an impact on her community?
3. How have people honored Margarita and her work?
About the Author and Illustrator
Dr. Hollee Freeman is a career educator with over 30 years of experience working in New York City, NY, Boston, MA and Richmond, VA. When she is not beekeeping in her apiary, you can find Hollee taking photographs of nature, gardening, and hiking. Hollee has written numerous book chapters and articles focused on educational reform, teaching, gender equity, and STEM. She has also written three children’s books.
Through writing, Hollee looks for connections between herself and the world. It is her sincere hope that you find joy and connection in the themes found in this (and other) books, that you ask questions and think of new ways of telling this story, other stories and of course, your OWN story.
Ariana Chariton is 24 years old and grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts. She currently lives in Grapevine, Texas. She went to college at Massachusetts College of Art and Design to be a fashion designer but instead became an illustrator.
When she was growing up, Ariana’s favorite place to go in Boston was the Museum of Science. When she got older and moved to the Roxbury/ Mission Hill neighborhood to go to college, she loved running to Jamaica Pond because it was so beautiful. She also loved going to Purple Cactus in Jamaica Plain for a burrito and a smoothie.
Ariana has always loved drawing and making art and still does. She hopes that if you enjoy drawing, you will draw your version of this story!
What's Next
- Find more Story Stops.
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- These Story Stops are part of Boston Reads. Learn more about Boston Reads.
- If your family is part of Boston Saves, this story counts toward your child’s reading commitment! Boston Public Schools students in K2–3rd grade who explore books for 20 minutes a day, 20 days each month, can earn $5 every three months for their Boston Saves account.
Log in to the Savings Center. In the Exploring Books box at the bottom of the page, click on the link to fill out the current Exploring Books form. Boston Saves will add the $5 to your child’s Boston Saves account within 1-2 weeks.
Not sure if you’re a part of Boston Saves? Go here to learn more: Boston Saves.
