Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. The antagonist in the movie the teacher who had it out for McKenna was also a composite. Former union President Kenneth Franklin, a teacher at Monroe Junior High School, accuses McKenna of wanting to bust the union. The school was showing progress in ways that were unexpected, so it became news. In a district that strivesto have zero suspensions, 26 students were suspended last year. Adults have bottles and cans in brown paper bags. At the age of twenty, he received a B.A. McKennas own voice is heard at the end of the movie, as he credits the changes to the group efforts ofparents, students, staff, community and teachers. What was obviously a long, complex quest has been sanitized and simplified to fit the usual midweek diversionary formula. They cant do it alone. Hes still trying to change it., Kakassy added, It is a significant part of the aftermath of the movie that George McKenna is now on the school board, and maybe he can change things from there.. [12] Although opponent Alex Johnson accused him of child molestation charges and the state take-over of the Compton and Inglewood school districts, widely condemned by supporters including Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Karen Bass, McKenna won the seat. Year Average % Change State 1986-87 252 1991-92 259 +2.7% County 1986-87 230 1991-92 236 +2.5% Inglewood 1986-87 201 1991-92 204 +1.5%. Today, about 2,400 attend the school. George J. McKenna III after the county appointed a fiscal overseer because of mismanagement", "A Hero Falls From Favor: Famed Inglewood School Supt. Liked by George Mckenna. "We have the actual slave irons that slaves used to wear. Theres a big difference between blame and responsibility, he said. That somebody in the movie, and in real life, isMcKenna supporterAllan Kakassy, who retired in 2005 after 37 years in LA Unifiedand 17 years at Washington Prep. What happens to you if you get involved in community problems is not as important as what happens to the community if you don't. All the parts in the movie were real, everything happened, it was factual, said McKenna, who read all versions of the script. Theyre yours, and the principal is responsible whether the grass grows. I dont blame it on the job, but I accept the fact that thats the way its supposed to be. The key to the success of a school is the principal, and the worst thing a school can have is a mediocre principal, not just lousy, but mediocre, explained McKenna, who then launchedone of his famous McKenna-isms that made his classroom teachings so entertaining and long school board meetings less boring. When Ruby is selected to attend an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960, she's totally unprepared for the uproar, but with the help of her teacher and a child psychologist, she's able to better cope with the ugliness of racism. McKenna, a short man who looms large at the microphone, has held forth in forums ranging from ABC's "Nightline" to last year's National League of Cities convention in New Orleans, where his. [1] It involves the events at George Washington Preparatory High School in South Los Angeles. I was a little embarrassed when the movie first came out, McKenna admitted. Then something changed, Most of Yosemite Valley is closed due to potentially perilous snowpack and flooding, Four dead in apparent mass shooting in Mojave, What was behind the protest against an archaeologist at last weeks L.A. Times Book Festival, Column: If not cops or guns, what will it take to make us feel safe? View the profiles of people named George Mckenna. Parents need to know that Hard Lessons (The George McKenna Story) is a biographical drama about a man's first year as principal of a tough Los Angeles high school. Case studies: 6 principles for using student-powered improvement in your school, The education community braced for guidance on student discipline. George McKenna is Back As one of the pre-eminent educators of our time, McKenna has returned to inject quality education into the Los Angeles Unified School District system once more. Which are your favorites? One student sees no alternative to joining a gang, ends up in jail charged with murder, showing us the hopelessness a lot of people without opportunities feel. When a student physically threatens a teacher, he receives an unheard-of suspension. Some of the most infamousgang leaders were in Kakassys classes. ", "Four L.A. school board members likely to face reelection challenges", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_J._McKenna_III&oldid=1149500223, This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 16:39. I met Denzel on location, it was made at a school in Houston, McKenna remembered. View the profiles of professionals named "George Mckenna" on LinkedIn. Washington Prep teachers said those who bucked him were pressured to transfer. Aine Mckenna, Catherine Anne Mckenna . The school`s absentee rate is 30 percent, with only 20 percent of the students moving on to continue their education. High School Principal. Set in the 1960s, this film is based on the true story of three mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson who overcame race- and gender-based obstacles to become vital members of NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. McKenna was born in New Orleans as a very light-skinned Creole black man. Not only does the idealistic outsider have to deal with a dispirited, burned-out student body, but with the usual downtown bureaucratic bumblers, as well as a core group of faculty members (white and black) who stubbornly resist boat-rocking, and a collection of bitter parents, including the president of a community action committee (Margaret Wright), who promptly informs him, ''I got you hired, and I can get you fired. Biography, [3], At Rotten Tomatoes the film received two negative reviews from critics.[4]. The movie was being made almost for the wrong reason, it was celebrating a school that works, and how thats unusual, McKenna pointed out. THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. View George McKenna's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Indeed, the tenure of urban school chiefs is increasingly brief. Their son is Orleans Parish coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna, and his wife is Beverly Stanton McKenna, the editor of the New Orleans Tribune, a minority-focused newspaper. This article about a biographical film is a stub. View the profiles of professionals named "George Mckenna" on LinkedIn. Board Member Dr. George J.McKenna III a very Happy Birthday! George J. McKenna III (born September 6, 1940) is an American politician and former educator who is a current member of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education for District 1 since 2014. He arrived in 1988 a celebrity, having earned star status as a tough, compassionate principal who transformed a gang-plagued, graffiti-ridden school into an oasis of excellence. They enjoyed that.. Washington plays a school principal in a tough inner city Los Angeles high school out to rid it of drugs, gangs, low moral of teachers, and restore educational values. The big year was 1990, when 20 of the 25 largest school superintendencies (in the country) were vacant, said Michael Kirst, a Stanford University professor who studies the politics of education. What other biographical movies have you seen? And in San Jose, the average tenure of a superintendent during the 1980s dropped to three years. The George McKenna Story, is a 1986 CBS fact based made for t.v. Language The "N" word, "hell," "dammit," and "damn." A teen Products & Purchases Not present Drinking, Drugs & Smoking Teens and adults smoke cigarettes. That was a bit embarrassing too., McKenna said, The reality is that its not about a celebrity, or a movie, or a book, its about what we do and how we try very hard in the classroom. The "N" word, "hell," "dammit," and "damn." Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. He has served as a consultant to numerous school districts and law enforcement agencies. Its like a square circle. That move came amid actions by county and state education officials to assign fiscal overseers to the district, saying it has come close to insolvency and failed in prudent fiscal planning. Who are George McKenna's colleagues? George McKenna on the Way Out", "INGLEWOOD: McKenna Becomes Compton Deputy Supt", "Community Rallies Around George McKenna for L.A. School Board", "Esteemed Educator George McKenna Enters Race for Los Angeles School Board", "An Emotional Dr. George McKenna is Officially Sworn In!!! Did you know you can flag iffy content? The George McKenna Story is a 1986 biographical television film directed by Eric Laneuville, which stars Laneuville's St. So the TV movie was renamed Hard Lessons and released in theaters in 1987. Larry Aubry, one of the two board members who voted to renew McKennas contract, acknowledges that some consider the superintendent arrogant. Former Los Angeles schools chief Bill Anton was on the job 26 months before he threw in the towel, saying strife with the board and the teachers union had made it impossible for him to continue. Some things have gone backwards, its out of my control, but ultimately that school and all the schools in the district are much, much safer, McKenna said. No blood or gore seen, bu Sex, Romance & Nudity Adults kiss once. McKenna has received more than 400 citations and awards from civic, legislative and professional organizations. The idea of themovie ignitedwhen the husband-and-wife producing team of Alan Landsburg and Linda Otto came to McKenna after reading some of the dramatic accounts of what was happening at the school in the local newspapers. The two end up learning more about each other's countries than they could have ever imagined. He had a precise way of identifying what needed to be done and how to do it., Kakassy said the movie didnt show the whole story. Nothing is new in this film that has not been seen before in films like The Blackboard Jungle(1955), and later in films like The Principal (1987), Lean On Me (1988), and Dangerous Minds (1994). Thirty years later, much has changed, including names: The movie has been retitled. He received more than 400 citations and awards recognizing his work in education, including the Congressional Black Caucus Chairmans Award in 1989, and was named to the National Alliance of Black School Educators Hall of Fame in 1997. As presented, the obstacles, indeed, are formidable. George McKenna: Chasing Elusive Dreams", "School Board Votes to Oust Superintendent: Education: The panel decides not to renew the contract of nationally known Supt. My ego is not that big, I never tried to seek that out, I was just doing my job., Sign up for newsletters from LA School Report, The movie opens in 1979 withMcKenna arriving atWashington High School in South Los Angeles on his first day as principal. Today, only about 70 percent of the students have high or near perfect attendance, while 27 percent are chronically absent. In 1962, he accepted a teaching position for the Los Angeles Unified School District while attending Loyola Law School, the University of California, Los Angeles, and California State University, Los Angeles. Denzel Washington is a pleasure to watch as he brings self-respect, dignity, respect for others, and compassion to the role of a young principal determined to make a difference. Did you know you can flag iffy content? Remove Ads Cast Crew Details Genres Cast The year the movie came out, the actorspoke at the graduation ceremonies, and of course the kids were thrilled, McKenna said. Newry, County Down, BT35. McKenna wanted us to fill out extra paperwork, make phone calls to students homes, stay a bit later to tutor. Of course, that isn't easy and utilizing tools that speak on their level can help, including kid-friendly movies about race and racism. The couple started the museum because they love art, and they had a lot of it. Posters for the movie based on George McKennas school success in South LA. He suggested the up-and-coming actor playing Dr. Chandler for the lead role. The 1% pay cut for all employees was only one cost-saving measure to erase a $1.2-million deficit. Eric Laneuville. Change was not on their agenda. What is the French language plot outline for The George McKenna Story (1986)? In 1989, McKenna received the Congressional Black Caucus' Chairman's Award and in 1997 was elected into the National . He had to paint that fence over and over again in the movie (and in reality), and finally asked the football team for help. The Department of Afro-American Research Arts and Culture, The Kid With The Broken Halo (1982, TV Movie), The George McKenna Story (1986, TV Movie). McKenna said a significant way of changingthe system is to repeatbest practices and share what is working among teachers and schools. When Rouzan would ask board members who disliked McKenna what they were afraid he would do, their answer, Rouzan said, was always, Well, hes got his own people and hell try to put his own people in there. , One of those people is Yolanda Mendoza, who was recruited by McKenna to head Oak Street Elementary School and is the districts only Latina principal. Celtic Park, Glasgow. The film was later (after Denzel Washington became a superstar) re-released on video under the title Hard Lessons. Elsewhere co-star Denzel Washington and Lynn Whitfield. George McKenna talks about his father's family history, George McKenna recalls the segregated New Orleans of his childhood, George McKenna discusses Creoles and prejudice amongst African Americans in Louisiana, George McKenna discusses his family's history as educators, George McKenna describes his mother's background and personality, George McKenna recalls his formal education through college, George McKenna shares his earliest childhood memories, George McKenna describes attributes from his parents, George McKenna reflects on his segregated background, George McKenna gives his views on the failing public school system, George McKenna recalls his early studies in black history, George McKenna talks about his siblings and attitudes towards education, George McKenna explains why he chose teaching as a profession, George McKenna talks about his college experiences, George McKenna details his years in graduate school at Loyola University, George McKenna recounts his move to Los Angeles and his marriage, George McKenna describes living in South Central Los Angeles in the 1960s, George McKenna reflects on his early years teaching in Los Angeles, George McKenna remembers the aftermath of the Watts riots of 1965, George McKenna cites some of his successes as a public schools educator, George McKenna comments on the lack of parental participation in public schools, George McKenna talks about his beliefs in disciplining children, George McKenna gives his ideas on how to repair the public school system, George McKenna recalls his years as principal of George Washington High School, George McKenna reflects on his success as a principal, George McKenna describes the support system he instituted at Washington High School in Los Angeles, George McKenna reflects on the publicity he received at Washington High School in Los Angeles, George McKenna discusses the concept for the movie 'The George McKenna Story', George McKenna details the research he conducted for the movie 'The George McKenna Story', George McKenna ponders his future career endeavors, George McKenna talks about how his success would be perceived by his teacher and mother, George McKenna comments on the actor Denzel Washington, Occupation(s): Set in 1971 Virginia, this heartwarming film revolves around a recently integrated high school football team and their Black coach's struggle to diffuse racial tensions. George McKenna (Denzel Washington) confronts a career-defining moment when he accepts a job as principal of a robust, inner-city Los Angeles, high school. [6][1] McKenna was sworn in on August 28, 2014, and was re-elected in the 2014 general election.[13][14]. With Denzel Washington, Lynn Whitfield, Akosua Busia, Richard Masur. George McKenna: Well, then you'll think twice about it next time, won't you? "We've been collecting since we were newlyweds" says Beverly McKenna. The average is based on scores in five subjects. "What this has to do, it lets young people know how their ancestors suffered. And even if you fail, you'll find you get a lot of pride from knowing you actually did something. The school stands as a role model for what can be done at all public schools when responsibility is taken by the professionals and the entire community. An all-minority institution in South Los Angeles, George Washington High School--a killing field of the spirit and a respository for ''discards'' and. All rights reserved. "We both realize we were raised in households where we knew what we had been blessed with. McKenna laughed about the choice of Washington playing him. But he meets a lot of resistance from students and teachers alike. Families can talk about how Hard Lessons portrays George McKenna. Now you're suspended for two days for threatening a teacher. (Get a full synopsis and otherfactsabout the movie here.). The graduation rate has fallen below the state average to 71 percent, and only 27 percent are college ready. In the Hollywood version, the George J. McKenna story ended in triumph, with the hero turning a troubled inner-city school into a premier educational institution. A handshake exchange implies a drug deal among students arriving at school. But they didnt ask for help. This biographical drama tells the real-life story of George McKenna, a black man who becomes principal of a notoriously tough inner-city high school in South Los Angeles. But a movie should not be about a school that works. It was originally made for TV broadcast in 1986 as The George McKenna Story, and later released as the movie Hard Lessons. '', Incredibly confident and upbeat, McKenna notes that his mother, also a principal, ''used to tell me that we owe our kids an education, that they`re blank pages for us to write on. I think the difference between the board and George McKenna was that George was not afraid to say if someone was not doing their job and he wanted them removed, Rouzan said. I think McKenna has always had a history of being self-centered, me-centered, believing he is more capable or more important than he is.. Teens throw eggs at an adult, trip him by throwing a garbage can in his way. It wasnt really too much, but it was enough to cause resistance. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. There were people who pushed back, McKenna said. Analysis: Los Angeles pays a steep price for labor peace. The Inglewood situation, though, is like that of other urban districts, where budgets are collapsing, politics are intense, and hostilities break out between board members and the superintendent they hired to save their schools. He doesnt know how to manage the district, and the board did a service to the community by voting not to renew his contact, said Jenkins, who did not support McKennas selection. He says: Some of the dreams at Washington Preparatory High School have come true. No blood or gore seen, bu, The "N" word, "hell," "dammit," and "damn." Inglewood well-wishers greeted him in George McKenna Fan Club T-shirts. Compared to some urban superintendents, McKenna has had a long run in Inglewood. What makes him a good role model? Elsewhere co-star Denzel Washington and Lynn Whitfield. Did you know you can flag iffy content? The high school dropout rate in Inglewood has been declining, reflecting a trend statewide. Elsewhere'') is undaunted. The Department of Afro American Research, Arts and Culture, We do not host full-length films on this website. All information is provided on an as-is basis. Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide. The controversy over McKenna has stretched beyond the city limits, distressing black leaders around the county, with some demanding to know how the school board can justify ousting an educator respected nationally as an advocate of urban schools. I was flattered. Then, pulling out another McKenna-ism, he added, Someday is not on the calendar. Principled yet pragmatic, Lincoln's stand on slavery offers a basis for a new politics of civility that is at once anti-abortion and pro-choice. George McKenna: Son, you threatened a teacher. Joseph Fernandez, for example, became chancellor of New York City schools based on his reputation as Miamis innovative superintendent.
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