Esther_Morales

Mexican educator who founded first rural schools for indigenous children

Esther Morales (1857-1932) was a visionary Mexican educator who pioneered rural education for indigenous communities during the Porfiriato era. Defying societal norms, she established the first bilingual schools in Oaxaca for Zapotec and Mixtec children, integrating their native languages with Spanish instruction. Her innovative pedagogy included agricultural training and healthcare education, creating sustainable community development models. Morales developed teaching methods that respected indigenous cultures while providing modern education, principles later adopted in Mexico's rural education system. She faced opposition from both conservative authorities and some traditional leaders but persisted through grassroots organizing. Her work inspired the later Escuelas Rurales Modelo movement. Spanish Wikipedia.