CHAPTER 22: Alejandro Macias from At-Risk High School Student to High School Principal.
I met Alex when he was a student at Futures High School in Montebello California. Futures is a school-within-a-school on the campus of Montebello High School designed to on-board high school students derailed from graduation track. Not enough passing grades to reach graduation in time without a meaningful intervention.
Alex found his way to us and into Liz Cooley's classes in particular. Liz is about to retire this year, but her body of work will continue on through her former students like Alejandro Macias.
Here is their story. (Get comments for Liz)
From his LinkedIn page:
Questions for Alex:
What happened before Futures High School? Does "hope" or the loss of hope factor into your experience.
How did you find Futures?
What happened while you were there that got you to becoming the principal of Manual Arts High School?
Tell us about Liz as a teacher.
What did you learn about yourself while there.
What do your remember about our team building days at the park?
What do you look for when you hire teachers for Manual Arts High School?
What do you want to say to teachers across the United States?
Notes: Alex, if you'd lie to replace the photo, please feel free.
COMMENT TO POST ON THE BLOG (short, public)
ReplyDeleteToby, this is Alex. I just found Chapter 22. Thank you for writing it, and for remembering Liz Cooley. Also, Susanne Coie played a big role in my life. Six years late, but I'd like to answer your questions so you can finish it. Write me at amacias03@icloud.com and I'll send them. A few things have changed since 2020: I led Boyle Heights Continuation High School, then Manual Arts, and since 2025 I lead the Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise, a charter school in Historic Filipinotown. I'm also finishing a doctorate at USC on why students stop coming to school. The Futures story is where that work started.
ANSWERS TO SEND TOBY
Toby, here are your eight questions, answered. Use what helps, cut what doesn't, and send me a draft before it goes up so I can check the facts. Liz should see it before anyone else.
1. What happened before Futures High School? Does "hope" or the loss of hope factor into your experience?
I left school as a freshman. When I tried to come back, my neighborhood high school said no. I was raised by immigrant parents working minimum-wage jobs while I was still learning English. I became a father in high school. So yes, hope is the right word.
2. How did you find Futures?
I was referred to because the main campus would not accept me since I had been out of school for a whole semester and only had 5 credit in my name.
3. What happened while you were there that got you to becoming the principal of Manual Arts High School?
Futures let me finish on time. From there I went to Cal State LA and earned three degrees. In 200o I started at El Monte Union HS District as a long-term sub teacher, and then moved to Hollenbeck MS (LAUSD) over the next ten years I taught and counseled there. I spent nine years at Mendez High School in Boyle Heights, first as an instructional specialist and then as its first assistant principal. In 2020 I became principal of Boyle Heights Continuation High School, a school like Futures, and in 2022 I became principal of Manual Arts, the first Mexican American to hold that job since the school opened in 1910. Since 2025 I lead the Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise. I am giving back what Futures HS game to me and that is hope to achieve your dreams even when our lives are messy and non-linear.
7. What do you look for when you hire teachers?
I've hired for four schools now. I look for adults who believe students don't fail, the adults around them do, and who can say that without blaming anyone, including themselves. I look for people who want to work in a culture of collaboration, accountability and reflection, which means they can hear hard feedback and give it. And I look for someone who sees what a student brings from home as strength to build on, not a gap to fix. The rest can be taught.
8. What do you want to say to teachers across the United States?
The students who stop coming to school are not the problem. The school is the mechanism, and the adults can change it. Every one of those students walks in carrying strength, knowledge and dreams from family and community. When a school builds on that, students stay. When a school ignores it, they leave, and we call it their fault. I was that student. Liz and Susanne didn't ask me to become someone else. They started with who I already was. That's the whole job.