Gerry Schwarzentraub was a fearless advocate for students with disabilities in the Stockton Unified School District, and her presence is still being felt by educators who worked with her 17 years after her death.
Schwarzentraub’s family moved to Stockton from Elkhart, Indiana in June 1976. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Bluffton College in Bluffton, Ohio and her master’s degree and administrative credential from the University of La Verne.
Schwarzentraub began her career at Stockton Unified as a high school special education teacher for the severely handicapped in 1981, and she quickly became known for her dedication to students.
“She was a great colleague, and sometimes she allowed me to be her boss,” said Vernon Uyeda, a former director of special education at Stockton Unified. “She could be a very strong personality, opinionated, fearless, smart as a whip … and a dedicated advocate for the young adults (in the program).”
The California Legislature even recognized Schwarzentraub for her contributions to the state’s special education curriculum.