Born in Michoacán, México, Roberto Rodriguez-Flores came to Salinas at age 7, his father and grandfather part of the Bracero Program for temporary workers to labor in the fields. Following his graduation from Alisal High School he faced a crossroads — work in the fields cutting lettuce or attend San Jose State. He jumped at the chance to enroll in the liberal studies program at SJSU. After earning his degree and teaching credential, he came back to teach in the Alisal District at Sanborn Elementary in 1995, just before the school changed its name to Jesse G. Sánchez Elementary. Rodriguez quickly rose through the ranks, earning his administrator’s credential by studying evenings, and becoming principal at Jesse G. Sánchez, giving back to the community that gave him so much. He’s now the principal at Oscar Loya Elementary in Salinas.