4: Igniting Change

My journey as a first‑generation Mexican American student in predominantly White schools with no bilingual education significantly shaped my experiences. My parents, recent immigrants who did not speak English, were not able to assist me in navigating the public school system, which proved more challenging than I anticipated. Despite this, my father consistently instilled in me the importance of education and hard work to attain a position where I could influence change. I internalized the understanding that our ethnicity would necessitate greater effort to achieve promotions and influence. I personally experienced culture shock and assimilation into the US education system as an Emergent Bilingual student. My parents, who had no formal education, relied on me to navigate this complex new world. Now, nearly fifty years later, I lead schools within this very system. Despite the lack of parental involvement in my education due to language and educational barriers, I exceeded the expectations of my teachers and counselors who doubted my potential for academic success. My perspective on the depth and breadth of my influence has been transformed, differing significantly from the teachings of my privileged mentors and leadership coaches.