Educating on the front lines in chicago chicago
Dr. Tresa Dunbar Garrett is the principal at Nash Elementary School on the west side of Chicago. Like many of her colleagues in the Austin, Englewood and Roseland areas, she is working hard to provide a good education for the children in her community. In spite of the cutbacks that Chicago public schools have experienced and the violence that is happening in the city, Dr. Dunbar continues to reach out to her community through job fairs and GED courses. She is a hands-on principal. If a child doesn’t show up for school she or one of her staff members go to their home to make sure everything is ok. I recently had a discussion with Dr. Garrett about the educational system and how violence is effecting our children’s education.
Shawntrice: How long have you been an educator?
Tresa: I have worked in education for eighteen years and I have been principal at Nash Elementary for nine years.
Shawntrice: Why did you decide to go into education?
Tresa: I had a cousin who was a role model for me and my family. My cousin was invited to participate in a program during the Lyndon Johnson Administration, and after completing the program she received her certificate to teach. I was planning to be an anthropologist. In the summer of 1991 my cousin stayed with us for about 4 months after the passing of her husband. Having her around during that time really made an impact on me. The field of education has had a profound impact on my life. I don’t think I could have been more successful doing anything else. It has really changed my life.
Shawntrice: How has the field of education changed since you began?
A Principal's determination to impact her students and her community.
By Shawntrice Smith
FEATURE