Christina Lopez Morgan

Christina Lopez Morgan was born in Tucson, Arizona, on May 9, 1947, the second daughter of Connie and Oscar Lopez. Christina spent her early years in Tucson, later moving to Los Angeles at age 8. She graduated from Bishop Conaty in Los Angeles. She began working at the Head Start program in Pasadena, and it was there she discovered her love for working with young children, and subsequently pursued a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena.

In 1967, Christina married Jerry Morgan, and they had a son, Jason, born on September 11, 1972, living in Castro Valley, Los Gatos, and San Jose, California, Christina had many interests. She loved running, water aerobics, writing, birding, gardening, camping, and picking wild blackberries. She and Jerry took many memorable trips together and especially loved visiting Lake Tahoe with her friends, Pam and Gary Kisor. Active participants in the Universal Unitarian Church, Chris and Jerry spent time serving the homeless at the Julian Street Inn in San Jose.

Much of Chris' life involved her work with young children. Christina was active in the field of Early Childhood for over 50 years, teaching children, directing centers, organizations, advocating for children and families. Her college teaching career included part time teaching for the West Valley Mission Community College district, prior to acquiring a full-time position with De Anz College where she taught with distinction from 1988 until her retirement in 2010.

Many of her classes provided opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experiences, which students enjoyed and which helped them to understand the ways in which children learn. Christina's constant focus was ensuring that her students understood the need for best practices and social justice in their future work with children and families.

Christina gave numerous presentations on anti-bias curriculum, equity, social justice, leadership, and infant toddler caregiving. She was an active participant and leader in many professional organizations: The Program for Infant Toddler Caregiving, The Early Childhood Mentor Program, and served on the boards for the Peninsula Association for the Education of Young Children, and was president of the California Association for the Education of Young Children. Christina was elected to the Governing Board of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, serving from 2002-2006, and served on NAEYC Commission for Accreditation of AA/AS Early Childhood Programs from 2004-2009.

Christina was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty-three years. Survivors include her son, Jason Morgan; her sisters, Yolanda Lopez, Linda Lopez, and her three brothers, Michael James (Sally Lynn), Donald Lopez (Marilyn), Larry Lopez (Julia), and her niece, Vanessa Ya Lopez (Matias, Santino).

She taught with patience, mentored with kindness, and baked love in every Christmas cookie.