story by Debra Cano Ramos '84
With seven academic degrees under his belt, kindergarten teacher Dave Hernandez received some unsolicited advice from his mother.
His mother, who was visiting him recently at his Newport Beach home, matter-of-factly told him: “No more degrees. You’ve been working too hard.”
Hernandez no doubt has been busy racking up university degrees. In May 2007, he earned his second doctorate. He was among the first recipients of an Ed.D. in educational administration and leadership, awarded through a joint program between Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine. (CSUF launched a new, independent Ed.D. in educational leadership in fall 2007).
While he has a preoccupation for higher education, his commitment to continuing education is also a passion; a joy he learned from his mother. He credits his mother, who taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Canada and shared her love of reading, for inspiring him to become an educator. Teaching, he said, is the best job in the world.
A teacher at Newport Heights Elementary School, some may wonder why he wants to teach 5- and 6-year-olds — who respectfully call him “Dr. Hernandez.” The answer is as simple as ABC: “I want to reach children as soon as possible so
I can show them the joy of learning.”
His principal, Kurt Suhr, who is working on his Ed.D. in the joint program, is amazed by Hernandez’s dedication to education. He also noted that it is rare for
a kindergarten teacher to hold one doctorate, let alone two.
“It speaks to his high level of dedication to be a lifelong learner and pursue education,” Suhr said. “He’s living and breathing what we always state to our students. We need more people like Dave Hernandez in education, no doubt about it.”
Hernandez, who wants to become a principal, and ultimately work with doctoral students, is convinced that kindergarten is the most important year in a child’s educational life.
“I love seeing the kids happy and mastering something. For me, knowing that I’m helping them get a good start in life is the joy of my job.” 
