“I knew the teachers were always right, but this time I felt a need to make learning my obligation. Where the teacher saw a struggle and no hope, I saw challenges and determination.”
Margaret is a pillar in the San Bernardino community. Early in her career, she taught at San Bernardino High School, and later spent sixteen years as the Principal of San Andreas High School. She went on to work as the Assistant Superintendent of San Bernardino County, and today serves on the San Bernardino City School District (SBCSD) Board of Education, in addition to a variety of volunteer community posts.
I don’t see myself as a citizen of San Bernardino but see myself as San Bernardino. I walk it, talk it, and I am proud of each and every day. I feel God planted me here to make a difference and I have not taken that assignment lightly. I have been involved in education for over forty years, I belong to many organizations, I love the youth of this city, and I love this city.
Prior to having an illustrious career as an educator, Margaret’s own time as a student was sometimes fraught.
I was not inspired by any of my teachers. I never thought I’d be smart enough to teach. I chose this shorthand pin to display here because it represents the first success I believe I had in high school.
I was fascinated with shorthand but could not grasp the concept. I failed the class my first and second quarters. Even with my failing grades and the request of my teacher to drop the class, I did not. I was determined to succeed, so I did.
The small, gold scroll on display here was awarded to Margaret when she accomplished the feat of transcribing 100 words per minute.
I am not a keeper or a collector of items. I can only guess I’ve kept it because it represents one of the hardest things I’ve ever accomplished.
Margaret’s motivation to succeed, despite her initial failures and the seemingly impossible task to achieve 100 words per minute, was a sister who was a year older than her.
My sister who was a year ahead of me in school was always the star at everything she tried, but she never tried shorthand. I was determined to do something she didn’t know how to do. My goal was to do something my sister could not do and when that was accomplished, I was good. When I was young, I was overweight, was flat footed, and I had very short hair and nubby fingernails. My other two sisters were petite, with long hair and beautiful fingernails, and thin feet. We had a pretty good relationship even though we would fight over petty things. It was more envy than anything. She could sing, dance, play the piano and basketball. I couldn't do any of those.
Margaret keeps the pin in a jewelry box that she opens only once every few years. She came across it accidentally, while searching for another item (a handkerchief from her brother) for this exhibition.
I’ve kept this in my jewelry box all these years. Why? I don’t know other than this is one of my precious jewels. It reminds me that I can accomplish any goal if I chose to do so.