School principal's American dream fulfilled: becoming an educator and teaching her mom to read

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From today through July 4, The Post, in conjunction with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is featuring US citizens explaining what the American dream means to them in 2026. Today, it’s Rubylinda Zickafoose, the principal at Ola Elementary School in Florida.

My parents were migrant farm workers. My mom had a kindergarten education — six months in kindergarten education. My dad had a second-grade education, and all of their lives they spent migrating from town to town, state to state, following the farm work. 

Dr. Rubylinda Zickafoose, wearing a black blazer and a fuchsia blouse, stands in a library.

Rubylinda Zickafoose, principal at Ola Elementary School in Florida, is the daughter of migrant farm workers. Milken Center

Principal Dr. Zickafoose surrounded by students in a classroom, celebrating Principals’ Appreciation Day.

Students celebrate HOLA Elementary School Principal Rubylinda Zickafoose with hand crafted flowers and cards on Principal’s Appreciation Day. Hola Elementary at MSA/Facebook

I remember one day, coming home from school, and I had my report card with me. My mom was sitting on the porch. I had come home from work and I ran up and I showed her my report card and it was upside down and she was telling me, “Mi hija, how good, great job, you know, muy bien, muy bien,” but it was upside down. 

I remember thinking, how can she read that? I had a friend of mine, I still remember Sophia was with me, and she said to my mom, “How can you read that? It’s upside down. Are you stupid?” 

And I remember looking at my mom and she was just shattered. And I remember her holding her face, crying and saying that it was almost like she was caught.

I remember staying on the porch with my mom for a very long time. And I promised her that day that I was going to grow up, be a teacher and teach her how to read.

Lowell Milken with Dr. Rubylinda Zickafoose at the 2023 Milken Educator Awards Forum.

Lowell Milken (left) founder of the Milken Educator Awards, greets veteran Milken Educator Dr. Rubylinda Zickafoose (right). Milken Center

Well, I think what [the American dream] meant to me was getting to a point where I made the choices in my life, and I could achieve my dream. And nobody could take that away from me, and nobody has. 

I had to get to a place and remove all those obstacles, become self-sufficient to where now I could live my dream of being a teacher, having my own set of kids, having my own classroom, being able to support myself and my son as a single mom. That to me was my dream.

The American Dream Video Project showcases real stories that illuminate pathways to opportunity. Featured at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), this series is part of the Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD is Washington, DC’s newest cultural institution, offering interactive exhibits and stories about achieving the American Dream. For more information, visit mcaad.org.