I recently watched the movie Hard Lessons, directed by Eric Laneuville. That took place in George Washington High School in Los Angeles, California in 1986. This film is based on a determined Principal named George McKenna played by Denzel Washington.
Mr. McKenna was the new Principal of George Washington High School. On his first day of school, he noticed there was no structure, graffiti, gang violence, and disrespectful student body. The teachers, students, parents, and community have given up all hope of a successful educational system in their community. His first experience wasn’t remarkable, a few kids threw stuff at him and even pushed him down. After the staff meets him they believed that he wouldn’t last and would be similar to the …show more content…
Put on a meeting for the community members and only 16 people showed up. He told them he would like to give children hope in their own community school. Have numerous teacher meetings to discuss improvement methods of the school. During one meeting they came up with an idea to have a contract promising students will be accepted into college, by starting a scholarship program in the school. The parent’s signature was required on the contract if they agreed. Over 100 contracts were signed within the first week.
One day after school a student approached him about scholarships to college. He gave the student a ride home and found out he was living out of an abandoned car. Asked him where his parents were, his mom wasn’t around and his dad died. Wondered how he survived and was informed that he had an after school job so he could feed and clothe himself. The principal had him gather his belongs and come home with …show more content…
In her class she forms a deal with a student named Robert, the deal was if he were to achieve reading in front of the class that she would do 10 pushups, he didn’t and she did 2 pushups and told him the rest will come each time he reads. Encouragement to read out loud. Robert was reading Shakespeare with satisfaction, which made them decide to have the reading competition at their school. Competition time, Robert Norris was nervous when it became his turn to read, but finally went up there and did a wonderful job. He didn’t take a place, but later hugged his teacher with pride that he conquered his fear of reading in front of people. During the contest gang members jumped the fence and Mr. McKenna heard about it, found them and started yelling at them, saying that’s what is expected of us a bunch of stupid niggers killing each other. They all left and never showed up to the school grounds
Mr. McKenna was the new Principal of George Washington High School. On his first day of school, he noticed there was no structure, graffiti, gang violence, and disrespectful student body. The teachers, students, parents, and community have given up all hope of a successful educational system in their community. His first experience wasn’t remarkable, a few kids threw stuff at him and even pushed him down. After the staff meets him they believed that he wouldn’t last and would be similar to the …show more content…
Put on a meeting for the community members and only 16 people showed up. He told them he would like to give children hope in their own community school. Have numerous teacher meetings to discuss improvement methods of the school. During one meeting they came up with an idea to have a contract promising students will be accepted into college, by starting a scholarship program in the school. The parent’s signature was required on the contract if they agreed. Over 100 contracts were signed within the first week.
One day after school a student approached him about scholarships to college. He gave the student a ride home and found out he was living out of an abandoned car. Asked him where his parents were, his mom wasn’t around and his dad died. Wondered how he survived and was informed that he had an after school job so he could feed and clothe himself. The principal had him gather his belongs and come home with …show more content…
In her class she forms a deal with a student named Robert, the deal was if he were to achieve reading in front of the class that she would do 10 pushups, he didn’t and she did 2 pushups and told him the rest will come each time he reads. Encouragement to read out loud. Robert was reading Shakespeare with satisfaction, which made them decide to have the reading competition at their school. Competition time, Robert Norris was nervous when it became his turn to read, but finally went up there and did a wonderful job. He didn’t take a place, but later hugged his teacher with pride that he conquered his fear of reading in front of people. During the contest gang members jumped the fence and Mr. McKenna heard about it, found them and started yelling at them, saying that’s what is expected of us a bunch of stupid niggers killing each other. They all left and never showed up to the school grounds