For nearly two decades, Michael Chicago has been a familiar and respected presence at Cesar Chavez High School. Now 59 years old, Chicago has witnessed the school’s growth, challenges, and successes firsthand, offering a unique perspective shaped by both personal and professional connections to the campus. He has served as a coach at Chavez since 2007 and has worked full-time as a Campus Security Monitor (CSM) since 2013, allowing him to impact students both on and off the field.
Since Chavez first opened, it has served students from nearly every area of Stockton. According to Chicago, diversity has always been one of the school’s defining traits. With students coming from different backgrounds, challenges were inevitable, but they also created opportunities for growth and understanding. While the school has evolved over the years, its core mission of serving the community has remained the same.
Chicago’s journey at Chavez began for a simple yet meaningful reason: his children attending and graduating from the school. What started as a personal connection grew into a long-term commitment to supporting students beyond his own family. In his role as a CSM, Chicago explains that the most difficult part of the job isn’t dealing with students, but navigating adult issues. “The kids are just kids being kids,” he said, emphasizing his belief in patience and guidance over punishment…