1986 television film directed by Eric Laneuville, George Washington Preparatory High School, "The George McKenna Story (1986) - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie", America's Prince: The John F. Kennedy Jr. Story, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_George_McKenna_Story&oldid=1148837662, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 April 2023, at 16:36. He grew up in an area where certain social privileges or club memberships were allowed if your skin passed "the paper bag test." If your skin was darker than a brown paper bag, you couldn't belong. It is not a day of the week. Most of the students are good kids who want to learn and go to college, but have to overcome difficult personal circumstances. McKenna made students feel safe to come back where some of the countrys most notorious gangs began, Kakassy said. 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. In the CBS-TV movie about McKennas Washington Prep days, the tall, handsome, dignified Denzel Washington portrayed the fiery principal with the gift for oratory. You have to try to do hard things, even if it makes you feel foolish, because what's really foolish is not trying at all. Quite a few teachers did leave, they just gave up, said Kakassy, who has also collected some of the educators favorite quotes. At the time, this high school was one of the most notorious and violent in Los Angeles, replete with gangs, drug dealing and gun fights. Some of the changes he made at Washington Prep were implemented at hundreds of schools throughout the nation. It was originally made for TV broadcast in 1986 as The George McKenna Story, and later released as the movie Hard Lessons. HARD LESSONS (THE GEORGE MCKENNA STORY) is a biographical story of George McKenna's (Denzel Washington) first year as the new principal of George Washington High School in Los Angeles. George McKenna said: "We are very proud of our staff and it is wonderful to have one celebrating 25 years. . Set in 1964 South Carolina, this drama follows 14-year-old Lily, who runs away from her angry father with her black housekeeper, Rosaleen, to start a new life in Tiburon, where Lily believes her mom came from. But who are George and Leah McKenna. Teens and adults smoke cigarettes. There are 70+ professionals named "George Mckenna", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. After his hiring, McKenna was criticized by opponents for being arrogant and mismanaged the district. Newry, County Down, BT35. 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. Though he must face off against apathetic parents and disillusioned teachers, McKenna fights to give all his students a fair chance at an education, no matter their race or background. State funding cuts aggravated budget gaps in the low-income district where enrollment has been swelling, leading to a shortage of classroom space and bilingual teachers. ''Harvard Prep School?''. But many other teachers wanted to come to the school under McKenna, Kakassy said, and the schoolhad a waiting list of 350 students by the timeMcKenna left. THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE. Case studies: 6 principles for using student-powered improvement in your school, The education community braced for guidance on student discipline. Common Sense Media reviewers include writers, editors, and child development experts. McKenna wanted us to fill out extra paperwork, make phone calls to students homes, stay a bit later to tutor. McKenna and Allan Kakassy as they are portrayed in the film. Its not your fault that they came this way, but now theyre in front of you. Though your kids may be familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, they're likely less familiar with Coretta Scott King and Dr. Betty Shabazz, the wives who formed a friendship following their husbands' tragic deaths. 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. movie before "Cry Freedom" Oscar nominated performance. Did you know you can flag iffy content? But those who voted to oust the superintendent--Reed, Lois Hill Hale and Loystene Irvin--said they were unmoved by the pleas of outsiders. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. That incident, like the rest of the movie, was true, McKenna said, adding about the death, It was one of the toughest moments of my life. The gang fight motivates the principal to step up changes both on campus which he does with the help of an idealistic white teacher and off campus, includingpainting over graffiti on a wall across the street and recruiting the football team to help. They created a space where black people could see themselves reflected in art and provided a platform for black artists. 14 Kid-Friendly Movies to Help Build a Conversation About Race and Racism, Julianne Hough Looks Fierce in a Naked Dress, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. McKenna was at first surprised when told by LA School Report that it had been so long since the movies release. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bb. At the age of twenty, he received a B.A. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover George's connections and jobs at similar companies. Even now as aschool board member, McKenna said changing the system is still a challenge. They cant do it alone. Compared to some urban superintendents, McKenna has had a long run in Inglewood. [2][3], McKenna was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 6, 1940 and attended Xavier University, getting a Bachelor of Mathematics and later a Doctor of Education. In 2006, it became part of LA Unifieds Small Learning Communities program in whichthe school was divided into more specific areas of interest including Engineering and Technology, Business, Health and Fitness and more. On the face of it, McKennas troubles would seem a stunning personal reversal for an educator who once attracted the attention of the White House. I dont ask principals to change the world, just change that part of the world whereyou have some control and some responsibility.. He presented Andy with a top of the range 40" flat screen television to recognize the 25 years of service at a special ceremony. The Department of Afro American Research, Arts and Culture makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Larry Aubry, one of the two board members who voted to renew McKennas contract, acknowledges that some consider the superintendent arrogant. Nicholas Frankovich has written a very thoughtful essayprovocative in the best sensebuilding a case for avoiding absolute positions on how to protect the nation against the coronavirus and on how to approach the abortion issue. The triumph of Washington Prep can be shared by all of us.. McKenna is egotistic and arrogant, said Thomasina Reed, one of the board members who voted against renewing his contract. McKenna is nowDr. George McKenna, after earninga doctorate in education from Xavier University. George McKenna. Who are George McKenna's colleagues? in . Biography, George McKenna doesnt talk about it much, but Denzel Washington played him in a TV movie called The George McKenna Story., Fellow LA Unified school board members may occasionally rib him about it, and on a recent tour of an elementary school, Superintendent Michelle King pointed it out to impress the students. A teen is shot and dies. All rights reserved. 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. Graffiti is gone, they have a dress code, and Washington Prep wont let students participate in after-school activities unless they have a high attendance record. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. He points out that high school principals have the second highest divorce rate, beaten only by undercover cops. George McKenna commended Andy McIntyre for his dedication to the Perth based company. No blood or gore seen, but he collapses in pain, clutching his stomach. 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. in mathematics from Xavier University and was awarded a teaching fellowship to Loyola University, where he earned an M.A. While the movie benefits from an engaging performance by Washington, the storyline too often presents his character as a kind of academic superhero, as he challenges (and beats) his young charges in one-on-one basketball games, patiently teaches the toughest gang member remedial reading, comes to the aid of a lonely Hispanic youngster who lives by himself in an abandoned car and patches things up between a bright upperclassman and his abusive father. Its we shall overcome, not I.. Grupo. This Disney Channel Original Movie is set in 1977 and tells the true story of two girls: Mahree, the black daughter of a congressman from Washington, D.C., and Piper, a white girl from apartheid South Africa. He had to paint that fence over and over again in the movie (and in reality), and finally asked the football team for help. He is also the author of several articles that have appeared in local and national newspapers and educational journals. Real change in schools can happen if professionals who work there, students, and entire community come together. The simple. William Jenkins, whose children attended district schools and who was on the search committee that recommended McKennas hiring, insists that there were more qualified candidates. The simple answer is that they were a university professor, school teacher, and two amazing parents. He suggested the up-and-coming actor playing Dr. Chandler for the lead role. [1] It involves the events at George Washington Preparatory High School in South Los Angeles. "We intentionally set out to save that street to keep a black presence. I had to say, You are on my football team, you have responsibility. I dont blame it on the job, but I accept the fact that thats the way its supposed to be. -Team McKenna #AlwaysTeaching #LAUSD #EducatorsRock #ProtectPublicEducation #MathMatters 0:05 They all look to the principal., McKenna doesnt blame recent principals for failing to keep up some of the successes he achieved at Washington High. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. McKennas relations with teachers have never been smooth. 1980s, I think he convinced the community that you didnt have to take a bus out of the neighborhood to get a quality education, said Sylvia Rousseau, McKennas assistant principal at Washington and now the principal of Santa Monica High School. Common Sense Media. The unions claim that the districts financial problems--it is one of only three in the county to be assigned a fiscal overseer--can be traced in part to administrative overstaffing. Eventually McKenna is able to convince a few people to try new things, and little by little they start to prove effective. The operative word, of course, is based. Originally aired on CBS TV in October 1986. And even if you fail, you'll find you get a lot of pride from knowing you actually did something. It wasnt shown in the movie, but he kept a toothbrush and tie in his office when he slept over at school. L.A. has a new answer, Epic snowpack upends rhythms of life for many species in Sierra Nevada range, Decades of failures leave L.A. County facing up to $3 billion in sex abuse claims. Will all the sacrifices and hard work prove worthwhile in the end? This biographical drama is set in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, telling the story of 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi, whose life is changed forever after a visiting missionary teaches her how to play chess. The Department of Afro American Research, Arts and Culture, We do not host full-length films on this website. Inglewood well-wishers greeted him in George McKenna Fan Club T-shirts. Did you know you can flag iffy content? That's why I named the museum after them," explains Dr. Dwight McKenna. He risked it all to make the grade.He risked it all to make the grade.He risked it all to make the grade. It was originally broadcast as The George McKenna Story on TV in 1986, but the following year, Washington was nominated for an Oscar for another movie, and attention from that suddenly made him a huge box-office draw. In the end, the graffiti is eradicated, students thrive and the principal is a hero. Black Cinema, This article related to an American TV movie is a stub. All rights reserved. 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!!! George McKenna talks about Black Males and helping Crenshaw High. We wanted to maintain that space for black people," says Beverly McKenna. George McKenna's colleagues are Simon Dunn, Sarah Mackintosh, Joanne Dow, Spencer Swift, Walter Hosie. Among those who rushed to his defense at a recent school board meeting were a number of prominent African-American leaders, including Ridley-Thomas, Urban League President John Mack and Danny Bakewell, head of the Brotherhood Crusade. George McKenna's role in Sidey Ltd is Director of Manufacture. 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. Denzel Washington stars as George McKenna, the tough new principal of a notorious Los Angeles high school. George McKenna explains how he became a teacher . The halls are filthy, student-set fires are a daily occurrence and the gangs hold brutal initiations in the schoolyard, a ''no man`s land'' that is off-limits to the teachers. 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. Hardly. And the district told him to stand down.. One of the most heartbreaking stories is abruptly dropped, which is frustrating. Today, only about 70 percent of the students have high or near perfect attendance, while 27 percent are chronically absent. In an epilogue, the actual George McKenna says that attendance is now 90 percent, that 70 percent of the graduates have gone on to college in the last four years and there is even a waiting list to get into George Washington High --which certainly adds up to a much more impressive and lasting kind of drama. Later, actor/rapper Ice Cube, actress and singer Teresa Graves and many pro football and basketball stars would graduate from the school. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! LA Sentinel Staff December 19, 2015. They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development. Analysis: Los Angeles pays a steep price for labor peace. Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. All the parts in the movie were real, everything happened, it was factual, said McKenna, who read all versions of the script. The George McKenna Story is a 1986 biographical television film directed by Eric Laneuville, which stars Laneuville's St. At Washington High School, Franklin said, a lot of teachers left because they couldnt deal with his dictatorial style., When McKenna arrived in Inglewood, Franklin said, he failed to consult with teacher leaders. Twenty-two years ago abortion was made an . "We've given a lot of young black artists starts. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? Board Member Dr. George J.McKenna III a very Happy Birthday! I raised all kinds of other children in the schools.. How can George McKennas message be controversial? 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. [1] It involves the events at George Washington Preparatory High School in South Los Angeles. McKenna explained that the Watts Riots in 1965 scared many of the white families out of the area. The 16,000-student district has both a police chief and a security director and two people directing maintenance. George McKenna: Son, don't lay that humble on me. By 2003, they had been collecting for nearly three decades, so they opened the museum. Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide. He has served as a consultant to numerous school districts and law enforcement agencies. A parent slaps his teen son, hits him more forcefully, talks about why he beats him. President Ronald Reagan invited him to the White House to honor his work a year after the movie aired, and he was mentioned in Michael Dukakiss Democratic nomination speech in 1988. At the age of twenty, he received a B.A. Young actor/director Eric Laneuville, whose mother was aWashington High counselor and worked with McKenna, was tapped to direct the film. on Esplanade Ave to document the contributions of free people of color. He attended all the athletic events and held regular assemblies with male and female students separately where they could ask him any question that was concerning them about life, family, love, drugs, sex, homework, college, anything. And yet, people resisted. Biography, Drama. 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. He followed me around a couple of days at school, but kids didnt mob him because he wasnt so famous at that time. "He risked it all to make the grade," is how the movie was advertised. Nice start to May, rain possible this weekend, Mandina's Restaurant reopens to customers after tragic shooting, CSU forecasts slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season, 'Art of the Black Experience' showcases Black artists in New Orleans, On The Road: Business is booming at It's Family Cafe in Houma. A few scenes sh Liked by George Mckenna. Such administrative layering, Rouzan said, is largely the result of the boards refusal to fire anyone. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Both of Inglewoods high schools are run by principals who were not McKennas first choice, Rouzan said. McKenna, notorious for not talking to the media, agreed to discuss the anniversary and the issues the movie raised. The movie is based on the true story of high school football coach Herman Boone, and the way he teaches his players to come together on and off the field. Under McKenna's leadership, the school banned school violence and had low absentee rates. The school was showing progress in ways that were unexpected, so it became news. 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. Robert Norris: It's gonna be just like the rest of them. No blood or gore seen, bu, The "N" word, "hell," "dammit," and "damn." Based on former First Lady Michelle Obama's memoir of the same name, this inspiring documentary chronicles her life from a childhood on the South Side of Chicago to becoming one of the most compelling and visible women of her time. Together, the two widows carried on the civil rights movement, and this movie tells the true story of their powerful friendship. 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. [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. LA Sentinel Staff December 23, 2015. . George McKenna is a terrific role model for perseverance, communication, teamwork, compassion. With George Segal, Susan Saint James, Jack Warden, Dick Martin. The schools demographics have shifted. View George McKenna's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. My soul is with the classroom teacher.. 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. It may not be the ideal school,'' the protagonist`s fiancee remarks at the top of ''The George McKenna Story,'' and she has a point. But he meets a lot of resistance from students and teachers alike. Now 70, Kakassy fondly remembers the McKenna years at the school and has kept two large bins of archives, articles, videos and pamphlets about the movie in his home in the San Fernando Valley. Eric Laneuville. 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. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. I got your helmets, I got your shoulder pads, I got your jockstrap, and you are not going to go on my field with my uniform on and not help me get this graffiti off. And we had to paint that graffiti off a number of times., McKenna continued, What really changed was the people in those houses, the mamas and grandpas, who came out and gave them lemonade and some cookies and thanked the kids. The real George McKenna, and Denzel Washington portraying him. But as portrayed by Washington, George McKenna is a terrific role model, and there are lots of positive messages about what you can accomplish when you work together and believe that change is possible. Of course, that isn't easy and utilizing tools that speak on their level can help, including kid-friendly movies about race and racism. McKenna is much lighter. He pointed out that neglect was detrimental to the community and the students. With the help of the TV studio, McKennas school reformswere shared with districts throughout the nation and adopted in professional development trainings. 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. If the adults around dont have sufficient commitment to let no child escape, then the situation in the schools will just get worse, McKenna warned. Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That principals work ethic, skill set and value system will affect everybody in the school, adults particularly, and the children and families that send their kids to that school. He tried to do my accent. That was personal, and thats when the graffiti stopped.. 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. Its like a square circle. The district, Kirst said, becomes an economic development agency. There were people who pushed back, McKenna said. Labels: He says: Some of the dreams at Washington Preparatory High School have come true. Please give today. About 71 percent are socioeconomically disadvantaged, 54 percent are English learners and 52 percent have disabilities. And when one of the dynamite teachers he has personally hired (Barbara Townsend) organizes a city-wide Shakespeare-reading contest, he coolly disarms one of the combatants in a fight brewing outside in the yard. 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. He hates the system. 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