Rocio Rodríguez-Martinez’s oral history is one that comes with the glimmer of emeralds, soft aroma of orchids, and the powerful scent of coffee—100% Colombian coffee, that is. Born in Bogotá, Colombia to Eustacio Rodríguez and Tulia de Rodríguez, Rocio’s story is one that takes her from pretending to be a teacher at her family store in Santa Isabel to teaching English to mothers of students in the Clark County School District [CCSD] of Las Vegas.
Mabel Hoggard was the first licensed African-American educator in Nevada. Hoggard taught primarily first and second grade at various elementary schools throughout Clark County, Nevada from 1946 until her retirement in 1970. The schools she taught at included Westside Elementary, Matt Kelly Elementary, Highland Elementary, and C.V.T. Gilbert Elementary, all located in Las Vegas, Nevada.