Q&A with UCLA Black Men’s Institute and Center X’s Professor Tyrone Howard, Ph.D., Compton Schools Alumnus --------------------------- Tyrone Howard. Ph.D. is Faculty Director of UCLA’s Center X and Director of UCLA’s Black Men Institute. Professor Howard, who is a leading voice on urban education in the United States, is a product of Compton schools and he agreed to speak about how his time in Compton Unified shaped him to become the leader he is today. The following is a transcript of that interview: ---------------------------- 1. How did your experience in Compton and its schools help form what you have become? My experience in Compton schools was filled with a number of teachers that I still remember to this day. I was fortunate to have caring, competent, and committed educators, who poured themselves into students. I still remember names and faces as if it were yesterday. Second grade, Mrs. Hill, fifth grade Mrs. Russell, eighth grade Mrs. Turner; these teachers helped me by challenging me to be the best student I could be. They were demanding, yet nurturing. They were tough at times, yet fair. I am forever indebted to these educators, because they affirmed academic excellence, so that I did not feel ashamed to be a high achiever. But they also poured themselves into struggling students as well. I remember my principal from Willowbrook Jr High School, Dr. Freeman. He was considered a mad man by many people in the school and the community. But he was intensely committed to helping students do something big in this life. He was big on accountability and no excuses from everyone; students, staff, teachers, parents and administrators. I would not be where I am today professionally without the type of tough love that educators like Dr. Freeman provided on a daily basis. 2. What and who inspired you to pursue a career in academia? I was inspired to pursue higher education because I desired to create a significant transformation in urban schools across the country. Transformation where academic excellence is the norm, creativity is expected, critical thinking is encouraged, and college-going culture is a staple. I was inspired to pursue a career in academia because I care deeply about students in underserved communities like Compton. I grew frustrated by the research and policy that was being dictated to educators in Compton, yet they appeared to be uninformed by people who lived there, worked there, or knew the students and communities well. Research matters in our world. Research produces knowledge. It helps to shape policy and practice. I wanted to be involved with the development of future educators to help them acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work in communities like Compton. I frequently say that there is unlimited promise and potential in communities like Compton, yet it is imperative for educators to create the appropriate schools and classrooms for the talent and intellect to flourish. 3. Urban school districts, like Compton, are ofen stereotyped negatively by media and others--when in fact our graduation rates are increasing, test scores are improving and some of our schools are being singled for national acclaim. What can/should we do as a community to reverse that stereotype? I think that it is essential for urban school districts like Compton to reclaim, reframe, and rename their narrative. While every district in the nation has its challenges, what many middle-class and more affluent schools do is to focus on the positive that takes place in their schools and that becomes the dominant narrative. Compton has to do the same. There are teachers in Compton who are nationally board certified, there are students who are accepted to some of the most selective and prestigious universities in the country, and there are schools that have made tremendous progress academically, and being recognized at the state and national level. These stories need to be told, and told often. It is imperative that human interest stories from Compton students be promoted, and that alumni discuss their experiences in attending such schools, and the people who made an impact on their lives. In short, it is about telling a different story. The challenge here is that the media is often less interested in these stories because it doesn’t fit the old narrative. Therefore, it will be vital to tell our own story, such as having students use social media to highlight what they like about their schools, having teachers document the work that they are doing, and having administrators present their work at regional and national conferences on urban school reform to discuss what is going well. 4. What message would you share with Compton residents about the importance of supporting our schools? The message I would share is that schools will only be as strong as the communities that support them. It is essential for community members to remember that our students represent our future. Our future physicians, attorneys, teachers, public service advocates, elected officials, psychologists, engineers, and law enforcement come from our schools. In other words, we need a strong school district if we want a strong community today and in the future. Therefore, I would encourage Compton residents to play an active role in the election of school board members, support school levies when they are on the ballot, and expect nothing short of excellence from schools and school personnel, and to support education in our communities at every turn possible. 5. What message would you share with the young men and women in Compton schools about aiming high in their college and career readiness? I would stress to young people in Compton that youth is for the young, and your time as a young person goes by fast. Therefore, understand that you are only as successful as the goals you set for yourself, the time you spend devoted to your future and the work that you put in to reaching those goals. Do not allow others to limit your life and career possibilities. I would encourage them to dream big, think outside the box, and to be willing to devote countless hours in pursuit of their passion. I am a big advocate of college for all young people, so I think it is important to start asking about college, researching about college, and envisioning seeing yourself on a college campus. However, I realize that college is not for everyone therefore, career readiness may include developing a skill or trade which can be just as fulfilling as college. But it still requires a passion, high expectations, and hard work. # # # --------------------------- We want to hear from professionals and community leaders who graduated from Compton schools. If you would like your story to be considered for a future post, please send a message to this Facebook account. Thank you!
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 18:30:01 +0000
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