Photo courtesy of Dallas ISD.
Oscar Rodriguez is the current principal of W.H. Adamson School. Not only that, he is an alumnus of Adamson himself.
Rodriguez was raised in a family of seven and went on to be the first in his family to attend college, earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from Texas A&M University.
During his time as a teacher at Adamson, he was part of the first cohort of Dallas ISD’s LEAD partnership with Texas A&M University-Commerce during the second semester of his first year back at Adamson.
After completing the LEAD Program and his master’s degree, he transitioned into the role of assistant principal before becoming principal in 2025.
In honor of National Principals Month, which is celebrated each October, the Oak Cliff Advocate interviewed Rodriguez about how he got his passion for education, his Oak Cliff origins, and his advice to others who want to do the same.
What Dallas ISD schools did you attend, and how did they make an impact on you?
I attended W. H. Adamson High School after transitioning from a local charter school, where I entered not knowing anyone. Rather than allowing that to hold me back, I made the decision to step outside my comfort zone, build relationships, and become actively involved in campus life.
Throughout high school, I challenged myself academically by participating in advanced courses, developed a passion for service and community involvement as a student mentor, and strengthened my leadership skills through Student Council. Most importantly, I embraced the opportunity to enjoy my high school experience, create lasting memories, and build meaningful friendships that I continue to cherish today. My experience at Adamson not only shaped me as a student but also helped develop the leader and person I am today.
Are there any teachers or principals you remember throughout your time as a student who inspired you to pursue higher education and then go on to have a career in education?
I would say that nearly all of my teachers at W. H. Adamson High School had a positive impact on my life. I have fond memories of Criminal Justice with Mr. Mitchell, AP Biology with Mrs. Mendez, Art with Ms. Gonzalez, and Pre-AP Algebra II with Mr. Fragapane. Each of these educators contributed to my growth and helped shape my high school experience. When I think specifically about preparing for higher education, several teachers stand out. Mr. Dominy, who continues to serve Adamson as an outstanding English teacher, played an important role in developing my academic skills. Ms. MacMullin, my AP Calculus teacher, challenged me and helped prepare me for the rigor of college-level mathematics. Ms. Orozco, my AP U.S. History teacher, taught me the importance of discipline, effective study habits, and perseverance through a demanding course. Together, these educators helped build the academic foundation and confidence I needed to succeed in higher education.
I also have to recognize the incredible support I received beyond the classroom. Through Education Is Freedom, Mr. Cruz, Ms. K, and Ms. Ramirez played an instrumental role in helping me navigate the college admissions process and access opportunities in higher education. I am especially grateful for Mrs. Vitia Martinez, who was my recruiter for Texas A&M University at the time. She became not only a mentor who helped guide me toward college but also a lifelong friend. Looking back, I recognize that my journey was shaped by educators and mentors who saw potential in me, challenged me to grow, and opened doors to opportunities I may not have otherwise pursued. Their impact extended far beyond academics, and I carry many of the lessons they taught me into my work as an educator and principal today.
Originally, my goal was to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. However, after taking several challenging science courses that significantly impacted my GPA, I began reconsidering my career path. With guidance from a mentor, I decided to explore the medical field, potentially pursuing a career in nursing or becoming a physician assistant. After changing my major, I began taking health-related courses, including what I thought would be an easy elective in School Health. Little did I know that course would completely change the trajectory of my life! It was taught by two incredible professors, Dr. Beth McNeil and Dr. Susan Wagner, who recognized qualities in me that they believed would make me a successful educator. They encouraged me to consider teaching and eventually convinced me to change my major to education. What made the decision even easier was realizing that the degree requirements were nearly identical, but the education program included an additional teaching certification. At the time, I figured it was a better bang for my buck! However, what truly made the difference was the passion and mentorship of these two professors. They not only inspired me to pursue teaching but also helped lay the foundation for the educator I would eventually become.
My original plan was simple: teach for a year or two, maybe three at the most, and then explore other opportunities. Fast-forward nearly a decade, and I am approaching my 11th year in education! What started as an unexpected career change became a passion and purpose I never anticipated. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for the mentors who saw potential in me before I fully recognized it in myself. Their encouragement ultimately led me to a career that has allowed me to impact countless students and eventually return to serve as principal of my very own alma mater, W. H. Adamson High School.
Where did you teach before coming back to Adamson?
Before returning to Adamson, I completed my student teaching at DeSoto High School, where I gained experience teaching Health, Science, and Math. My original goal was to begin my teaching career at W. H. Adamson High School, my alma mater. However, there were no available positions at the time, so my journey took me in a different direction.
My first teaching opportunity came at Texans Can Academies in Oak Cliff, where I began as a co-teacher. Interestingly enough, I owe that opportunity to Mr. Richard Marquez, former CEO of Texans Can Academies, who recruited me while I was working part-time at a local restaurant. Initially, I did not anticipate staying very long. I had certain assumptions about the school and the challenges I might encounter. However, once I began teaching, my entire perspective changed. I quickly fell in love with the campus, its students, and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. What made the experience especially meaningful was realizing that the students I was serving were the very same students I had grown up alongside in the Oak Cliff community. In fact, I recognized many of their siblings, parents, and even cousins! That connection gave me a deeper sense of purpose and responsibility. I wasn’t simply teaching students; I was serving my own community. I wanted to help create opportunities for students who came from backgrounds similar to mine and demonstrate what was possible for them. Throughout my time at Texans Can, I had the opportunity to take on several leadership roles that helped shape me as an educator. I supported the development and implementation of student certification programs, including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Dental Assisting, and Community Health Worker pathways, providing students with opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials. I also served as Science Department Head, became the Saturday School Administrator overseeing tutoring and academic support initiatives, and was eventually promoted to Instructional Coach during my final year with the organization.
Looking back, my experience at Texans Can was instrumental in developing my approach to education and leadership. It taught me the importance of building meaningful relationships, meeting students where they are, maintaining high expectations, and recognizing the potential in every student, regardless of their circumstances. More importantly, it reinforced my belief that students need educators who not only believe in their potential but also serve as examples of what they can become. Although my journey did not begin at Adamson as I had originally hoped, I am incredibly grateful that it began at Texans Can. The experiences, challenges, and relationships I built there prepared me for the next chapter of my career. Eventually, the opportunity I had been waiting for finally presented itself, and I made my way back home to W. H. Adamson High School — this time, as a Science teacher!
Why do you think education is important in our neighbors’ lives?
I wholeheartedly believe that education opens doors to opportunities, experiences, and possibilities that many individuals in our community may not otherwise have access to. As the youngest in my family, a first-generation college student, and someone who was born and raised in Oak Cliff, I am living proof of the transformative power of education. I am fortunate to be experiencing the opportunities that education has made possible for me.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would become an educator, much less the principal of my very own alma mater, the A-rated W. H. Adamson High School! Education has taken me places I never thought possible. It has allowed me to travel, experience different parts of the world, build relationships with people beyond my immediate community, and gain an appreciation for different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. More importantly, it has challenged me to think critically, remain curious, ask questions, and continuously seek opportunities to learn and grow. I strongly believe that education is one of the most powerful tools we have to break generational cycles and create lasting change. Without access to education and meaningful opportunities, it can be difficult to see beyond the circumstances and limitations that have shaped our families and communities for generations. Education challenges those limitations. It empowers us to question what we know, discover what is possible, and pursue opportunities that can completely change the trajectory of our lives.
This belief is at the heart of why I do what I do. As principal, I want my students to recognize that their circumstances do not have to determine their future. I want them to be curious, to question the world around them, to challenge themselves, and to understand that there is so much more waiting for them beyond what they have experienced. I want them to see education not simply as a requirement or a diploma, but as a pathway to independence, opportunity, and personal growth.
Most importantly, I want our students to understand that success looks different for everyone, but every single one of them deserves the opportunity to pursue it. If my own journey has taught me anything, it is that where you come from does not limit where you can go. That is the message I hope to instill in every student who walks through the doors of Adamson: Your future is not defined by your past, your possibilities are endless, and with education, determination, and the right support, you can change not only your own life but the lives of generations to come. Because at Adamson, it’s possible here!
What advice do you have for other Oak Cliff students interested in pursuing education as a career path?
My biggest piece of advice to students growing up in Oak Cliff is simple: Be proud. Be proud of who you are, where you come from, and the community that helped shape you. We have the power to break barriers and create opportunities for ourselves and the generations that follow. I firmly believe that education is one of the greatest tools of empowerment and one of the most valuable forms of wealth we can possess. Knowledge is something that no one can take away from you. It opens doors, creates opportunities, and gives us the confidence to navigate spaces we may have never imagined ourselves entering. My hope is that every student from Oak Cliff recognizes their worth, embraces their identity, and understands that they belong in every room and at every table where decisions are being made.
Being an educator is not easy. Throughout my career, there have been moments when I have questioned my own professional decisions and wondered whether I was on the right path. However, one thing has always remained certain: I genuinely love teaching. Teaching is so much more than helping students understand mitosis, meiosis, or mathematical equations. It is about equipping young people with the tools to advocate for themselves, think critically, ask meaningful questions, challenge perspectives, and develop the confidence to become leaders in their own lives and communities. I often remind myself that everything starts with a teacher. Behind every successful professional, community leader, entrepreneur, or changemaker is an educator who helped develop their knowledge, confidence, or belief in themselves. Teachers have the incredible responsibility and privilege of helping students recognize potential they may not yet see within themselves.
As an educator and now a principal, my greatest hope is that I can inspire young people to see themselves differently, recognize their own greatness, and pursue opportunities beyond what they once believed possible. I want to challenge them, push them outside their comfort zones, and hold them to high expectations — not because I expect perfection, but because I believe in their ability to achieve more.
Most importantly, we need great teachers. We need passionate, dedicated educators who understand our students, our culture, and our community. We especially need homegrown educators — individuals who have walked the same streets, attended the same schools, and understand firsthand the experiences of the students they serve. There is something incredibly powerful about a student seeing someone who looks like them, shares their background, and comes from their community standing at the front of a classroom or leading a school. I am living proof that our community produces leaders, educators, and individuals capable of accomplishing extraordinary things. My goal is to ensure that our students recognize that same potential within themselves.
Never be ashamed of where you come from. Instead, take pride in it, build upon it, and one day, come back and invest in the community that invested in you.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
