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Volume 15 Number 2
©The Author(s) 2013

In Memoriam: Harriette Herrera

Gayle Mindes
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois


In summer of 2013, DePaul University’s College of Education and the wider community lost a remarkable educator, colleague, friend, and mentor. Harriette Herrera was a graduate of the DePaul University master of education program in reading and learning disabilities. She served as coordinator for DePaul’s Reading and Learning Lab and recently developed the Early Childhood Education Bilingual Field Placement System. As an adjunct faculty member at DePaul, Harriette taught in the elementary, learning disabilities, early childhood, and bilingual programs over the last 20 years.

Harriette also served as an administrator in Community Consolidated School District 59 and as consultant to the Illinois State Board of Education on various task forces on early childhood, special education, and bilingual education. She was a member of the Illinois Early Learning Council as an advisor to the Governor's Office of Early Childhood. A staunch advocate for high-quality programs for children and families, Harriette contributed to our field’s collective knowledge base throughout her distinguished career. She was beloved by her students, her colleagues, and all whose lives she touched. There is no doubt that the Illinois education community feels this loss deeply.

Harriette Herrera worked tirelessly to support and encourage all teacher candidates and colleagues to give their best on behalf of children and families across Illinois. She lived a life of advocacy for the neediest in society—a true social justice mission. Her many friends and colleagues may wish to memorialize her commitment to education. Contributions to a scholarship fund in her memory can help carry on Harriette’s legacy and support qualified students pursuing their dream of being teachers and other school professionals. Tax-deductible contributions to the DePaul College of Education General Scholarship Fund in Harriette’s memory can be made at https://alumni.depaul.edu/HarrietteHerrera or by calling Gift Processing at 312-362-8666.