George McKenna (Finding Aid)

George McKenna

1940 -

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Red Beans and Rice

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: The Caribbean

Interview Length: 120 minutes

Interview Date(s): July 24, 2001

Interview Location(s): Beverly Hills, California

Abstract

Teacher and high school principal George McKenna describes his family background, detailing the personalities and achivements of his grandfather, father, and mother. McKenna shares memories from his childhood growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and describes his family life. McKenna recalls segregation and discrimination in the South, and also discusses the skin-color prejudice of Creoles in New Orleans. McKenna also describes his favorite activities and recreations from childhood, and briefly describes his education. Teacher and high school principal George McKenna describes his graduate education and the early part of his professional career. In particular, McKenna focuses on the message of empowerment he learned, and explains how he passed this message on to his students. McKenna describes his moves from New Orleans to Chicago to Los Angeles, and talks about how he adjusted to these changing environments. Teacher and high school principal George McKenna describes the effects of the Watts riots of 1965, explaining how they changed the Los Angeles's demographics forever. McKenna then shares his personal views on the importance of public schools and the many ways public schools can have an impact on children and society. To illustrate his points, McKenna uses his own experience as principal of George Washington Preparatory High School. McKenna talks about the various challenges he encountered at Washington High School and explains the solutions he implemented to improve the lives of his students and teachers. Teacher and high school principal George McKenna further describes his success as principal of George Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles, and discusses the increasing publicity that resulted. McKenna talks about the circumstances leading to a movie based on his like, 'The George McKenna Story', starring Denzel Washington. McKenna discusses his plans for the future as an educator, and provides a vision for the success of public education everywhere. He also considers his legacy and what his first principal would think about him now.

34 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)