Rewriting the Script

Expelled from school and involved in gangs, Irvin Navarro was on his way to becoming just another sad story. Then his little brother was born and Irvin realized he needed to change. With the help of Communities In Schools, Irvin rewrote his story.

Irvin Navarro credits his two-year-old brother, an assistant principal and a Communities In Schools of Houston college specialist as his inspiration for turning his life around.

At 18, Irvin is exploring college options and planning for his future as a teacher.  But just a couple of years ago he walked a different path in life – until an improbable series of events led him to a new school and a different way of thinking.

Raised in a struggling single-parent household, Irvin never had any contact with his father.  His mom, who emigrated to the United States with family members from El Salvador, works long hours in the hotel industry and cleans houses for extra money.  In addition to his brother, Irvin also has a 14-year-old sister.

In middle school, Irvin became involved in gang activity, which continued into his high school years.  “I grew up in a neighborhood with gangs, violence and drugs,” said Irvin.  “I saw a lot of disturbing images that children are not supposed to see.  The negative influences were all around.  I was not going to school regularly and began hanging out with gangsters.”  At Lee High School in Houston, his academic progress stalled, while behavior problems and involvement in fights escalated.

The turning point came during his senior year, when a teacher called Irvin a “criminal” in front of a group of students.  Understandably upset and defensive upon hearing of the incident, Irvin wanted to meet with the teacher to explain his personal circumstances.  He was expelled from school while attempting to confront the teacher.

Around the same time, the birth of his brother deeply changed him.  “I realized that my little brother needed a positive figure in his life.”  Irvin knew he had to make a change in order to get back on track and complete his high school education.

He applied to Southwest Schools, a college-preparatory, public charter school with a total population of about 400 students.  When he first visited the school, Richard Martinez, the assistant principal, saw something special in Irvin.  Once Irvin enrolled, Martinez took him under his wing and introduced him to Sam West, the Communities In Schools of Houston college specialist who oversees the college and career center and the Advancement Via Individual Determination program at the school.

West describes his unique role with Communities In Schools of Houston as “making sure that every senior at Southwest Schools gets into college or has the resources to get there.”  Under West’s guidance, Irvin began to consider the possibility of going to college.  Irvin attended an introduction to college dual credit course at Houston Community College, taught by West. West then linked Irvin to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, which, in addition to offering financial assistance, provides services like college field trips and a peer-mentoring program with college students.  West made sure Irvin took advantage of these services, working hand in hand with him every step of the way.

He offered encouragement and affirmed Irvin’s leadership skills.  “Irvin is brilliant, but never understood that he was capable of succeeding in school.  Once he realized that people cared about and believed in him, he stepped up his game and started to take his education seriously,” said West.

As a result of the Communities In Schools interventions, Irvin made improvements in academic performance, attendance and behavior.  He graduated on time with his class in May 2008.  Today, he is working full time and helping to take care of his brother.  He visits West twice a week, and has enrolled in Lone Star College System for the spring semester.  Irvin is also helping his sister follow in his footsteps of high school success.

Irvin is excited about the new path he is on, and he has every reason to be.  “I have learned what responsibility is, and now I want to go to college and have an education so my brother and sister can see that they can do it as well.”

December 2008