Charter school's director honored by organization

CHULA VISTA: Dr. Jorge Ramirez, director of the Chula Vista Learning Community Charter School, has received this year's top honor nationally from a Philadelphia-based organization that helps schools create microcosms of the real world on campuses.

MicroSociety is a program through which students apply academic skills as legislators, business owners, teachers and other community members in villages within their schools.

As a charter school, Chula Vista Learning Community is a public school but has a great deal of freedom in establishing its curriculum in exchange for meeting academic goals.

MicroSociety held its annual national conference in San Diego last week and honored Ramirez with the HEART Award that goes to the educator who demonstrates commitment to using real-world learning experiences.

Chula Vista Learning Community parents were also honored with the outstanding parents award from the organization for forming an adult MicroSociety on the campus in addition to supporting their children's learning.

MicroSociety also bestowed this year's lifetime achievement award on Erik Latoni, who until recently was principal of Feaster Charter School in Chula Vista.