In hiring RUHS’s new principal Marvin Brown, the Redondo Beach Unified School District consulted the Education Council, students, parents and staff. Brown checked every box throughout the process. Not only is he armed with experience in special education and earlier age schooling, but his values directly align with the school.
“For Mr. Brown, being a principal is more than a career, it’s a lifestyle and a calling,” Superintendent Dr.Nicole Wesley said.
Brown was born and raised in Colorado and served as an educator at all levels in the RBUSD district.
“Working in all levels of education, I got to see the development of students over time, from elementary school, to seniors heading off to college. I find that no matter the age or the school, students have goals for themselves and a desire to achieve,” Brown said.
However, Brown sees high school as more than just rapid achievement. He draws upon his own high school experience to lead, remembering not only the academics but the experience itself: athletics, friendships, and specifically his formative teachers.
“School is more than just what you learn from a book. It’s about the experience you have,” Brown said.
Brown is also inspired by his brother who has down syndrome, which creates a “soft spot” for special education in the classroom. He is proud of the co-teach classes and accessibility that is a part of RUHS. Brown remembers
watching his mom, who was also an educator, raise his brother and him. He grew to appreciate his mom’s struggles raising a special needs child, and it shaped his values such as patience and “always giving kids second and third chances.”
“I learned a lot from her. She really influenced my leadership style as an educator,” Brown said.
Despite chances, however, students only get four years at RUHS. Brown encourages them to make the most of it.
“I’d challenge kids this year to get out of their comfort zones. When you get off campus, meet people from other schools, get out of your bubble. That’s when you grow and mature and learn something,” Brown said.
Brown left his hometown in Colorado to study and play D1 football at Northwestern University in Chicago. There, he was introduced to a new culture and community.
“Taking the subway was such a new experience,” Brown said. “When I was 19, I did internships that helped me grow. Working as a caddy on a golf course really affected me because I got to meet CEOs and vice presidents of companies. That kind of communication experience really helped me in my role as principal.”
With these experiences, students can reach success at RUHS. Brown defines success as an “attitude.”
“I want kids to find their purpose and their passion and to enjoy themselves in a safe & inclusive environment,” Brown said.
The marker of Brown’s time here at RUHS is an administration centered on student input.
“[Brown] has brought up that idea of student input, hearing all of the voices and empowering people to share their thoughts & concerns to create a variety of experiences on campus, and he can relate to being a student-athlete, the value of being involved in something,” Wesley said.
As his mother taught him, Brown believes in second chances and service-oriented leadership. He applies those values to the disciplinary aspects of the job as well.
“I look at my job as a service job. I am not here to dictate. All students want a school that has high expectations for them and structure, and they really thrive in those environments. When you’re a teenager, it’s hard to know the guardrails and the boundaries. When adults set boundaries, then kids can just head straight down a path,” Brown said.
Brown applies these values to the disciplinary aspects of the job as well.
“If somebody gets in trouble, we have to discipline them. We think of it as a way of helping them make better decisions rather than just something punitive,” Brown said.
In terms of student-led change, Brown is very excited for the ethnic studies and AP African American History programs to reach students.
“It’s phenomenal. I love that our students are learning about more cultures. That’s what makes the United States of America great. All the different religions and cultures and ethnicities and races that we all identify with and learning about it together. I never had that opportunity in my own high school, so visiting classes and seeing the energy and enthusiasm is outstanding,” Brown said.
