Courtesy of: National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Yvonne Chan, a Chinese immigrant who arrived in the U.S. with $100 and limited English, became the principal of Vaughan Street School in 1990 amidst a severe gang problem. She transformed the failing elementary school into a charter school with the support of parents and teachers. Chan personally involved the Hispanic and African American communities in the school’s construction and faced significant challenges, including converting a crack house into a schoolhouse. Her leadership and dedication inspired the community, fostering a culture of hope and confidence. Chan emphasized the importance of changing mindsets and building a positive school culture over relying solely on government funding.
Transcript
Outline
Yvonne Chan’s Journey and Early Challenges
- Yvonne Chan introduces herself, mentioning her Chinese background and her arrival in the United States with only $100 and limited English.
- She expresses gratitude for the public education system in the U.S. and shares her experience as the principal of Vaughan Street School in 1990.
- Yvonne describes the significant gang problems the school faced and the decision to convert the failing elementary school into a charter school.
- Teachers and parents, including Susan Oblad, were actively involved in the conversion process, despite initial hesitation.
Community Involvement and Transformation
- Yvonne highlights the role of Hispanic and African American parents in physically building the school, including constructing walls and laying grass.
- A student recounts the transformation of a crack house into a schoolhouse, emphasizing Yvonne’s efforts.
- Irene Smerigan praises Yvonne’s leadership and ability to see obstacles as opportunities, inspiring the community.
- Yvonne stresses the importance of community support and the collective belief in the school’s potential.
Personalized Approach and Scheduling
- Students and teachers describe Yvonne’s personalized approach, where she knows each student by name and recognizes their achievements.
- Yvonne details her meticulous scheduling, managing different class start times to accommodate various age groups.
- Teacher Andrew Carbonell compares Yvonne to a “red hot pepper,” noting her persistent and impactful influence.
- Irene Smerigan adds that Yvonne’s positive influence is contagious and beneficial to the school community.
Impact of Leadership and Cultural Change
- Students call for more principals like Yvonne, who proactively address problems and inspire the community.
- Yvonne emphasizes the importance of changing mindsets and building a positive culture within the school.
- She argues that government funding alone cannot match the rapid progress achieved through community engagement and hope.
- Yvonne concludes by highlighting the continuous improvement and the visible impact of her leadership on the school’s success.
