Like many public schools, Montbello has seen its share of frequent staff changes. I have always held out the hope that Montbello would someday become a stellar institution. Instead, the chronic malaise persisted.
At last, I believe we can say that the tide is turning. And we can thank Antwan Wilson, Montbello High’s principal, who has been at the helm for three years now and has instituted a series of positive changes. Among these is a new dress code. Montbello students are now required to wear uniforms of simple colors; the pants, skirts and jackets boast a school logo. In a society where colors identify members of a gang, where pricey clothing can even mean death for their wearer, the idea of school uniforms is so logical that every school should embrace it.
Wilson came to Montbello with a vision and a tangible plan: to change how teachers view their mission; to change how students think about their potential and the role of education in it; and to change how the community at-large – including parents – viewed its school.
Wilson said he came in with a clear plan for the school: Use available data to guide what the school does, what the future direction should be, and be willing to change direction. This was complemented by hiring talented professionals with a vision and desire to grow and change. To this end, the first thing he did was to let about 30 teachers go.
Wilson, whose dedication to education borders on an obsession, has high expectations. He believes that a chasm exists between the black community’s dissatisfaction with its children’s education and its willingness to do something about it. Far too often, parents are eager complainers about “the system,” but lazy when it comes to active involvement in their kids’ education. For too long, the community has had too low an expectation of itself, its children, and the school system they represent. Wilson believes that children must be informed that much is expected of them, and parents must be convinced not to be passive onlookers.
He has made a great effort to involve the community in school affairs, with encouraging results. He says he holds much hope for the future.
Five years ago, there was a handful of kids in the Montbello Honor Society. Last year there were about 100. The school emphasizes advanced placement and college preparatory courses in the sciences, as well as other disciplines. Students are taking advanced courses at Community College of Aurora and Community College of Denver, with whom an active involvement has been established.
Signs of change are palpable. The fact that students are returning from other, “better” schools in the area highlights the importance of steps Wilson and Denver schools Superintendent Michael Bennet have taken to change the face of Montbello from a “failing black school” to one that can deliver an excellent education.
Wilson is confident that the school’s test scores will start to climb once some of the changes being implemented take hold.
Minority children have the same potential as all others. The community owes it to its children to re-engage in this amazing academic experiment. We must root out ignorance and invigorate anemic academic effort. Give Principal Wilson some help by becoming a school volunteer or offering support in any way you can. This community has great potential that only needs unleashing. Fortunately, men like Antwan Wilson are doing it. I salute him and his vision.
Pius Kamau of Aurora is a thoracic and general surgeon. He was born and raised in Kenya and immigrated to the U.S. in 1971. His column appears on alternate Thursdays.
