Estela López grew up in South Central Los Angeles, and she still lives and works just minutes from her childhood home. She has served in neighborhood schools for 30 years, first as a teacher and now as the principal of Dolores Huerta Elementary School.

She has made it her mission to make sure her school is a refuge for children in the neighborhood, and her reach extends far beyond the walls of her school to help families secure housing, healthcare, and food.

When she was grieving the loss of her oldest son, the children at her school helped her heal.

Guests:

• Estela López, Principal, Dolores Huerta Elementary School, Los Angeles Unified School District
• Mallika Seshadri, Reporter, EdSource

Read more from EdSource: ‘My mission’: Dolores Huerta Elementary Principal Estela Lopez extends support to community

Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.