Escalante is a high school teacher whose students – mostly underprivileged and Hispanic – have set standards in mathematics that are all but unequaled in American education. In 1988, the popular movie about his life, "Stand and Deliver," became one of the year’s most acclaimed films. Edward James Olmos of "Miami Vice" TV series fame played him in the film.

The subject of the book Escalante: "The Best Teacher in America," Escalante is an immigrant from Bolivia, he was officially inducted into the Teachers Hall of Fame in 1999.

"When you have ganas you can do anything," he said, using the Spanish word for desire. "Ganas solves any problem. You can overcome any obstacle with ganas."

In addition to desire, self respect is another vital factor in achieving success.

"No one can tell you what your destiny will be – not your parents, not your friends, not your teachers. And the greatest teacher you’ll ever have is your self image and self respect."

Challenging students who previously had little encouragement to aim high with their lives; Escalante helped make amazing things happen at Garfield High School. His students, assisted by Escalante’s gentle coercion, showmanship, and sheer force of personality, pushed themselves to achieve at levels they never imagined possible. He motivated them to perform through a combination of factors from strict study requirements to discussing career possibilities.

His persistent, challenging and inspiring teaching methods made his school the seventh-ranked high school in the country in calculus despite being plagued by poor funding, constant violence, and atrocious working conditions.

What parents and teachers expect from a student can also have a major impact on that student’s level of achievement, Escalante said.

"My students rose to the level of my expectations," he said. "If we expect winners, they become winners. And if we expect losers, they act like losers. Our expectations can give kids roots and wings."

Making mistakes is nothing to fear and is in fact part of the road to success because they help teach a student what works and what doesn’t, he added.

"Don’t be afraid to make mistakes," Escalante said. "Successful people make many mistakes. How many times you fall is not what matters. How many times you get back up is what counts."

Escalante taught math and physics in Bolivia for 11 years until 1964, when he immigrated to the U.S. After receiving an associate of arts degree in electronics, he worked at the Burroughs Corp. He later took a considerable cut in pay to become a math teacher at Garfield High in East Los Angeles in 1974.

Though in his early days on the job he doubted he had made the right decision and even considered quitting, his belief in the opportunities available in America helped him achieve the success that has made him a legend in the teaching profession.

"This is a great country, and you can be anything you want to be here," he said. "Make the decision about what you want to be in life. Be a winner. Be a winner!"

The President’s Council, which met on the Lyon campus today, is composed of distinguished business and civic leaders from across the state and nation who provide support and counsel to Lyon President Dr. Walter B. Roettger, the college’s Board of Trustees, administration and faculty.