From custodian to principal: George Solis’ journey through education

George Solis, principal at Campus Park Elementary in Livingston, sat at his desk, reminiscing about the past 12 years as the school’s top leader and his more than 30 years in education.

In his neatly arranged office hang awards, plaques, a photo of his father, the red United Farm Workers flag, and a collection of marbles that he occasionally trades with students.

Solis, 61, has about 10 days left in his office – he will retire at the end of this school year.

The story behind Solis’ career in education is one that most would describe as inspiring.

He was born in Brownsville, Texas, and raised in Mexico until he was about 7. When his father took a job in the fields, his parents, who adopted him at 6 months old, moved to Livingston.

In the late 1970s, after graduating from Livingston High and attending Merced College, he took a job at Campus Park Elementary as a custodian and school bus driver. Solis said he took the job mainly because his first daughter was on the way and the position came with health benefits.

During his time as a custodian, he met individuals with whom he’d gone to school and who had gone on to become teachers. Feeling left behind, Solis decided to continue his education, and enrolled at California State University, Stanislaus, where he graduated in 1984.

He taught a variety of grades for almost 11 years at Merced City Schools before deciding he wanted to return to school to become a principal. He traveled to Sacramento State every other weekend for two years to get his administrator license.

After a stint at the Merced County Office of Education, Solis’ career made a 360-degree turn when he was recruited to return to his old stomping grounds at Campus Park Elementary.

“It was a little strange at first because I was now the principal of teachers whose rooms I used to clean,” Solis said about his comeback to the Livingston school.

Solis said he is proud of his years at the elementary school. During his time there, Campus Park students have seen a significant improvement in their academic performance.

The key to making the change, he said, was making the teachers and students believe in their value and ability to succeed.

The school, Solis explained, has the largest number of English learners in the Livingston Union School District. It also has the highest percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches.

“Some may look at us and they wouldn’t expect us to do well,” Solis said. “But as educators, it is our responsibility to teach every single child like they’ll be the next president.”

Despite his soft and quiet demeanor, the work Solis has done has not gone unnoticed.

Andres Zamora, the Livingston district superintendent, said Solis is an advocate for children and passionate about student learning – something that is obvious as soon as one meets him, he said.

“Mr. Solis has been a phenomenal role model for these kids,” Zamora said. “He took the school from being one of the lowest achieving in the district to one of the highest achieving.”

Framed in Solis’ office also hangs a letter from the Livingston school district from when he attended Selma Herndon Elementary as a child. The letter is addressed to his parents, notifying them of his retention in the second grade. Solis said he was held back twice for not speaking English as fluently as the rest of the children.

Campus Park Elementary, like most schools in the area, now prides itself in its dual language program, in which bilingualism is encouraged. This is a complete change from when he attended school and was not allowed to speak Spanish on campus, he said.

Livingston police Chief Ruben Chavez, who serves as a liaison for the elementary school, said Solis’ positive influence goes beyond the campus and into the community.

“His story is almost the classic rags to riches story,” Chavez said. “He is an example that one can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.”

In his last days of work, Solis said he’s realized that every corner of Campus Park is filled with memories – most of which consist of children’s laughter.

When he’s having a long day, he goes out during recess or lunch and talks to the students. “They have great stories and active imaginations,” Solis said. “Hearing them out is almost like therapy for me – I think that’s what I’ll miss the most.”

This story was originally published May 24, 2015 at 3:43 PM with the headline "From custodian to principal: George Solis’ journey through education."