Braulio Alonso
Encyclopedia
Braulio Alonso was a high school and junior high school teacher and principal. He served as the first Hispanic president of the National Education Association
.
on December 16, 1916. His parents were both cigar makers in Ybor City and members of the Centro Asturiano
social club. His first language was Spanish
.
Braulio went to work at the age of 10 in order to help support his family. He graduated from Hillsborough High School as valedictorian
in 1935. He graduated from the University of Tampa
, also as valedictorian, in 1939.
Braulio married Adelfa (Bebe) Diaz, an elementary school educator, in August 1941. They had two children.
in October 1941. He entered as a private and was immediately sent to Officer Candidate School
. Dr. Alonso served with the 85th infantry Division in North Africa and the Italian Campaign as Battery Commander in the 328th Artillery Battalion. He was in the first group of allied officers to enter Rome
. Major Alonso was discharged in November 1945. He received the Bronze Star
and Purple Heart
with Cluster.
before the war. After the war, Alonso returned to public education as director of Adult Education and On the Job Training for Veterans. He pioneered the present-day Adult High School. He served as Director of this office from 1946 to 1953. During the summers he attended the University of Florida
where he earned a Master's and Ph. D. At the time, he was providing also for the college education of his two sisters, as well as supporting his family.
His next assignments were as principal of West Tampa Junior High School (1952–1958), Jefferson High School (1958–1962) and C. Leon King High School
(1962–1968). All three schools grew in excellence under his tenure.
One of Alonso's lifelong passions had been to improve the schools and champion the teachers. In pursuit of that mission, he served as president of the Hillsborough Education Association (1951–1956) and then as President of the Florida Education Association
in 1957. He was especially proud of his role as one of the educators who contributed toward desegregating the FEA.
Braulio was elected president of the National Education Association
and took office in July, 1967. In 1968 masses of Florida teachers resigned in protest over budget cuts. Braulio ended his teaching career by resigning as principal of King High School in solidarity with the teachers. The county refused to rehire him after the protest. Braulio later became the NEA's director of international relations and traveled the world representing the NEA. He retired his post at the NEA in 1983.
In 2001, Braulio Alonso High School
was opened in honor of Dr. Alonso.
National Education Association
The National Education Association is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become...
.
Early life
Alonso as born in Ybor City, Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
on December 16, 1916. His parents were both cigar makers in Ybor City and members of the Centro Asturiano
Centro Asturiano de Tampa
The Centro Asturiano is a historic site in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida. It is located at 1913 Nebraska Avenue. On July 24, 1974, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was designed by Tampa architect M...
social club. His first language was Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
.
Braulio went to work at the age of 10 in order to help support his family. He graduated from Hillsborough High School as valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
in 1935. He graduated from the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
, also as valedictorian, in 1939.
Braulio married Adelfa (Bebe) Diaz, an elementary school educator, in August 1941. They had two children.
Military service
Braulio entered the US ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in October 1941. He entered as a private and was immediately sent to Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School or Officer Cadet School are institutions which train civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country....
. Dr. Alonso served with the 85th infantry Division in North Africa and the Italian Campaign as Battery Commander in the 328th Artillery Battalion. He was in the first group of allied officers to enter Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Major Alonso was discharged in November 1945. He received the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
and Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
with Cluster.
Career in Education
Alonso began his teaching career as a chemistry and physics teacher at Henry B. Plant High SchoolHenry B. Plant High School
H.B. Plant High School was opened in 1927 on South Himes Avenue in Tampa, Florida, United States. The school is named in honor of railroad and hotel tycoon Henry B. Plant. The school mascot is the Panther. The school motto is "Strength Through Unity." Plant High School currently has enrolled more...
before the war. After the war, Alonso returned to public education as director of Adult Education and On the Job Training for Veterans. He pioneered the present-day Adult High School. He served as Director of this office from 1946 to 1953. During the summers he attended the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
where he earned a Master's and Ph. D. At the time, he was providing also for the college education of his two sisters, as well as supporting his family.
His next assignments were as principal of West Tampa Junior High School (1952–1958), Jefferson High School (1958–1962) and C. Leon King High School
C. Leon King High School
C. Leon King High School, named in honor of C. Leon King a distinguished and respected member of the Hillsborough County Board of Public Instruction for 18 years opened in 1960 with 58 faculty members and 960 students. It is located at 6815 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610.King High School is a...
(1962–1968). All three schools grew in excellence under his tenure.
One of Alonso's lifelong passions had been to improve the schools and champion the teachers. In pursuit of that mission, he served as president of the Hillsborough Education Association (1951–1956) and then as President of the Florida Education Association
Florida Education Association
The Florida Education Association is a statewide federation of teacher and education workers' labor unions in the state of Florida in the United States. Its 137,000 members make it the largest union in the state...
in 1957. He was especially proud of his role as one of the educators who contributed toward desegregating the FEA.
Braulio was elected president of the National Education Association
National Education Association
The National Education Association is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become...
and took office in July, 1967. In 1968 masses of Florida teachers resigned in protest over budget cuts. Braulio ended his teaching career by resigning as principal of King High School in solidarity with the teachers. The county refused to rehire him after the protest. Braulio later became the NEA's director of international relations and traveled the world representing the NEA. He retired his post at the NEA in 1983.
In 2001, Braulio Alonso High School
Alonso High School
Braulio Alonso High School is a public high school located in Hillsborough County, Florida. Dr. Sandy Bunkin was the school's first principal and after five years retired. She was replaced by Mr. Louie Diaz who was the Assistant Principal of Athletics for the first 2 years the school was open then...
was opened in honor of Dr. Alonso.