Dolores was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1939, a descendent of the first Jaramillo to settle in New Mexico in 1598. She was the eighth of nine children. Her father, Demetrio, was a butcher. Her mother, Lucy, was a teacher—and at one time a principal—in a number of small New Mexico villages. Dolores attended Catholic schools as a child, first St. Mary's then St. Vincent's, graduating first in her class.
Following in her mother's footsteps, Dolores enrolled at the University of New Mexico with the goal of becoming a teacher. She specialized in the burgeoning field of Early Childhood Education, where she studied under early childhood pioneers Lenore Wolfe and Mary Ann Binford. They and other instructors fueled Dolores's passion for reaching children in the earliest stages of development—particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Dolores made learning fun and interesting for her students. Her carefully designed "interest centers" created an atmosphere in which children learned as they played, developing socially, emotionally and intellectually. Her innovative methods created an environment that encouraged social and emotional learning along with a focus on academics. Her classrooms and teaching methods served as models for students in the UNM College of Education.
By making a gift to the Dolores Jaramillo Martinez Endowed Scholarship Fund, you'll support the future of education in New Mexico while honoring Dolores' legacy. It has been said that teaching is in Dolores's DNA. Indeed, her extended family includes more than 20 members who have worked in the field of education. The Dolores Jaramillo Martinez Endowed Scholarship will ensure that Dolores's vision lives on, rooted in the fundamental belief that teachers have the power to help create a world where children can thrive.
For questions, please reach out to Mary Wolford at mary.wolford@unmfund.org or 505.277.1088.