Coming home: various alumni have returned to teach or lead here at our campus. This is the first part story in this multi-part series. This is the story of Assistant Principal Osana Gonzalez.
By Juan Villanueva |
We see her walking around campus, either during lunch or on morning duty but most of us probably don’t know much about her.
While growing up in this area, the AP faced lots of challenges which pushed her to want something better than what she had as a child.
“It was never easy. There were lots of challenges. I never thought different than any of my friends,” she said. “I think that’s what drive us to want a better life.”
Osana Gonzalez has always been an outspoken person, although now as an adult she is more outspoken in her work.
After graduating from Roosevelt, the hard-working, competitive and outgoing administrator went on to Texas A&M and later Lamar University, receiving a Master’s in Curriculum in Education, a Bachelor’s in Spanish Language and her Principal Certification.
Regarding the area and returning, Gonzalez said the area has changed.
“I think there are more negative influences, but I feel like that’s why we’re here,” Gonzalez said.
On the other hand, the reasons why she decided to return, mostly come from the greatness of the campus.
“Roosevelt is to me the definition of family, this is home to me,” Gonzalez said. “When I come to work, I feel like it’s home and I feel like that’s why I’m so passionate about my job!”
Like many other staff that grew up in the area or attended Roosevelt itself, Gonzalez has found lots of remarkable connections.
“All the time,” she said. “There are many influential people, 13 years ago when I was here, that are still here.”
Although this is her first full year here, Gonzalez has already begun changes to our campus, for instance she reinstituted an old Roosevelt slogan.
From last year to this year, the campus’ twitter handle went from “I love Roosevelt” to “We are TR.” Gonzalez made this change because she felt that it conveys unity symbol for our campus.
“I feel like the ‘We are TR’ means more to people because it’s about the pride,” she said.
Overall, although Gonzalez faced many problems while growing up in the area, she and her family feel very proud for her and the achievements she has accomplished.
“Personally being at Roosevelt and being in the position I’m in, it makes my family proud because it wasn’t easy growing up here, and being able to come back and give back has made it all worth it,” Gonzalez said.
