Lea Tobar – West Michigan 25 most influential Latinos
Lea Tobar
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Rapids Public Schools certainly would not be the same without Lea Tobar.
During her 30-year tenure with GRPS, Tobar formed many influential programs and initiatives, including the Latin Ladies, a program for Latina students that made a big difference in the lives of many students during the 12 years it was active.
In 2000, she founded the Latino Youth Conference, which will celebrate its 25th year this coming March.
In partnership with the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan Executive Director Roberto Torres,
Tobar co-founded the Encuentro de Dos Culturas event in 2014, which later developed into the
Puerto Rican Cultural Committee of West Michigan, which is now celebrating 10 years.
The Puerto Rican Cultural Committee positively impacts the community through events and programs such as Fiesta de Pueblo Roberto Clemente, Visitando Altares and most recently Danza Boricua: Lazos
a Nuestra Cultura, a dance program for young people.
Tobar retired from GRPS in 2004 after 30 years of service but continues to be active in the district working with families in several schools. She said her biggest accomplishment, outside of her own kids, is seeing the students she’s worked with become successful professionals and active citizens in the community.
Born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, Tobar migrated to Grand Rapids in 1961 where she met her husband Felipe Guerrero Tobar and raised their four children, Samuel Felipe, Ana, Noemí and Ruth.
She still returns to Puerto Rico in the winter and is active as a volunteer there in faith-based efforts. She has traveled on mission trips to Cuba and Nicaragua and in 2024 established a mission in Puerto Rico in partnership with First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids and Iglesia Metodista La Transfiguración in San Juan.
Tobar has a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and a masters’ degree in education from Wayne State University.
