Founders Library

A School Founder’s History: Emilio Pack, STEM Preparatory Schools

Emilio PackThe 74 Million Oral History CA
Founder Emilio Pack talks about his vision for breaking the cycle of poverty for students in Los Angeles through education, the unique learning model at STEM Prep, his passion for public charter schools, and why he hopes adults will finally aside politics for the betterment of children.

Courtesy of The 74 Million
https://www.the74million.org/

Transcript

Emilio Pack discussed the origins of STEM Preparatory Schools, inspired by his own experiences as a child of a single Cuban mother in the U.S. He emphasized the need to bring high-quality public education to underserved communities without forcing students to leave their roots. Pack highlighted his transition from traditional public schools to charter schools, noting the autonomy and flexibility they offer. He shared his success with College Ready High School and the establishment of STEM-focused schools to prepare students for future jobs. Pack also stressed the importance of leaders of color in education and the challenges of co-locating charter schools with LAUSD, calling for a focus on student needs over adult conflicts.

Action Items

  • [ ] Finalize the use agreement for the co-located middle school campus before the start of the school year.
  • [ ] Hold a parent meeting to provide information about the upcoming school year, including classroom assignments and schedules.
  • [ ] Work with the LAUSD to make decisions that prioritize the best educational experience for all students on the co-located campus, regardless of which school they attend.

Outline

Genesis of STEM Prep Schools and Personal Background

  • Emilio Pack traces the origins of math and science college prep and STEM prep schools in Los Angeles back to their childhood experiences.
  • Born in the United States to a single Cuban mother, Speaker 1 recalls their mother doing black market dentistry to support the family.
  • Emilio Pack ‘s mother moved them to a better-performing public school in San Marino, highlighting the importance of access to quality education.
  • The goal of STEM prep schools is to bring high-quality public education to underserved communities without forcing students to leave their communities.

Transition to Charter Schools and Career Path

  • Emilio Pack discusses their career transition from a traditional public school principal to a charter school principal, emphasizing the need for autonomy in education.
  • They met Judy Burton and Howard Lapin, who introduced them to the concept of opening a school within a charter school system.
  • Emilio Pack opened College Ready High School Number Four, which later became Dr. Olga Mohan, winning the California Charter School of the Year award in 2011 or 2012.
  • The success of Alliance College Ready Schools inspired Speaker 1 to open their own smaller CMO network, leading to the creation of STEM prep schools.

STEM Education and Workforce Preparation

  • Emilio Pack emphasizes the importance of exposing students from low-income backgrounds to high-paying STEM careers to break the cycle of poverty.
  • Traditional education focuses on memorization and regurgitation, but STEM education encourages exploration, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.
  • STEM prep schools aim to prepare students for the workforce by teaching them how to think critically and solve complex problems.
  • Visitors to STEM prep schools would see students working collaboratively in engineering labs, using advanced technology, and engaging in hands-on projects.

Role of Leaders of Color in Education

  • Emilio Pack highlights the lack of leaders of color in the charter school movement, especially in serving communities of color.
  • They see their role as both a role model for students and an inspiration for the next generation of leaders of color.
  • The importance of having board members of color is emphasized, as it ensures representation and accountability within the community.
  • Emilio Pack shares a personal anecdote about teaching a young man from an immigrant family how to tie a tie, symbolizing their commitment to filling gaps left by others.

Challenges with District Relationships and Co-Location

Emilio Pack stresses the need for decisions that prioritize the educational experience of all students, regardless of whether they attend charter or district schools.

The relationship between charter schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is strained, with charter schools often taking the blame for the district’s financial struggles.

Emilio Pack describes the daily challenges of co-locating their middle school with an LAUSD elementary school, including negotiating use agreements and space allocation.

The lack of a signed use agreement seven days before school start hinders planning and communication with parents.