GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – For Julian Ramirez-Torres, Grand Rapids Public Schools didn’t just provide an education - it gave him a home.
“It was home immediately,” said Ramirez-Torres, who came to the United States from Mexico as a child. A 2005 graduate of Union High School, he credits his time in GRPS with inspiring his career. “My time here in Grand Rapids definitely was the reason why I wanted to get into education. I always wanted to go back to my alma mater.”
He fulfilled that dream by first becoming a teacher at Union High School. Later, his dedication to education and community led him into leadership, and today, he serves as the principal of Southwest Middle High School – Academia Bilingüe.
“I wanted to be an example for others. I don't see a lot of Hispanic leaders and I wanted to represent my Hispanic population,” he explained. “It is highly important that the leader of the building speaks both languages. I read this one quote that said people tell me that Spanish is important, but when I go talk to the principal or the boss, it's always in English. That's stuck with me, and I love to be able to communicate with both populations of students and parents.”
For Ramirez-Torres, the most rewarding part of being a principal is leading the scholars he serves.
“Seeing them coming through the doors every morning, seeing what they're accomplishing, and just seeing them strive and succeed. I hope that they see a strong leader that is bilingual, that is that is part of their community that speaks like them, that is advocating for them.”
Ramirez-Torres’s journey is one of inspiration and representation, embodying the spirit of community and leadership that GRPS strives to foster.
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