Originally published as part of the 75th Anniversary celebration, November 2019.
To End Generational Poverty Through Education
Joe Hernandez, Ed.D. is the motivation behind the Dinuba Unified School District vision and mission statement. The son of parents who emphasized the importance of education, Joe grew up in poverty but understood that education could open doors he couldn't see at the time. Joe received his teaching credential at Fresno Pacific University and earned his M.A. in Education: Administrative Services in 1995. From teacher, to principal, to superintendent, Joe's motivation has remained the same: seeing kids succeed is the ultimate goal. Today, in his 10th year as superintendent of DUSD, that intention remains the same. On any given day, Joe will hop on a bus and ride to school, chat with the cooks in the cafeteria and eat lunch with the kids. To him, teaching is a ministry and one that can change the trajectory of a child's life. He knows this because he's experienced it.
7 Areas of Prayer: Education
Heart of service and sense of purpose for teachers
Helping under-resourced school districts in rural communities in the region
End of generational poverty
Community mentors for children
Health and encouragement for teachers
Wisdom for educational leaders
FPU grads pursuing careers in education