You Belong Here: National Hispanic Heritage Month
As the district continues to acknowledge National Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s introduce you to one of our newest administrators. Mr. Omar Hussan is the new principal of Roth Junior High School. We asked him this week to share his Hispanic heritage and are pleased to share such thoughtful responses with you.
Q: Why is your Hispanic heritage important to you?
A: I grew up in a multicultural home. My dad, Khalid Hussain, immigrated to the United States from Pakistan when he was 23. He met my mom, Evelyn Montalvo, soon thereafter. She and her family had moved to Brooklyn, NY, from Puerto Rico. My dad’s family eventually came to the States, as well,a few relatives at a time. But my maternal grandparents came over with all eight of their kids, my mom included. The Puerto Rican side of my family was always around. I grew up with my cousins, eating the food, celebrating the holidays, and participating in the traditions common to that lovely island. My Latino heritage is important to me because it shaped my view of the world during the early formative years of my life.
Q: Who instilled that importance into you as a child or adult?
A: As ironic as this response may be, the person who instilled the value and appreciation for my Latino heritage in me was my Pakistani father. My dad strongly suggested that I never deny or neglect my family origins. As much as he wanted me to know about his family’s traditions and culture, he kept our family connected to my mom’s side. No matter where we lived, he brought us back to Brooklyn. He brought us back to the smell of rice and beans, the sounds of Spanish music, and the laughter of my extended family.
Q: What values associated with Hispanic culture resonate with you as a person and leader?
A: Taking pride in who I am, and being grateful for all who came before me. I grew up hearing – but not fluently learning – several languages in and out of my home. I grew up practicing and participating in different cultures and traditions. There was an appreciation and love for family that was present any time we visited the Clemente Projects on Kent Ave. The gratitude that I feel today for my upbringing and the diversity that I was able to experience from as early as I can remember is something that I place tremendous value in experiencing.
Q: Why does representing the Hispanic culture in a school setting matter to you?
A: When folks read my name, they may have preconceived notions of who, what and how I am. But when students and families who share a similar background see my face, there is recognition of a commonality. I get to be a person that many students otherwise may not have experienced in their schools. I did not have many adults in my own school experience who resembled me in name, heritage or freckles. It is a great honor to celebrate and represent my Latino heritage as one part of my identity.
Q: Does it make a difference for students to see themselves in you?
A: It makes a major difference. I want students to know that our names and where our families are from are important parts of personal identity. At the same time, I want students who don’t share my cultural backgrounds to also see themselves in me, because we truly can accomplish and achieve so much in these great United States. Here, a boy whose parents came from opposite sides of the globe can work hard to become an educator, a teacher, and a leader.
Thanks, Mr. Hussain, for sharing this wonderful perspective!
