Dedicated To All The Educators That Made The First Day Special

May you all have a wonderful year, with lots of amazing growth in all
your students, and may the year be filled with sweet experiences of
learning and teaching. May the spirit and excitement of the new year,
…last till June of 2011.

Remembering My Best Friend BFFL

Remembering the day I brought you home,
Before I met you,
I had named you,
The lady said you were the last of the litter,
Because you tended to “kiss” everyone,
“Ahh, I stated, “A real Romeo”
The name stuck, with time.
You were so cute and cuddly,
Loving everyone you met.

Remembering the days we played and played,
Endless days of football and running,
Never leaving my side,
Always on alert for a game or a walk,
Days of training until you became
The great receiver catching the over shoulder pass,
Finally after days and days,
Always trying to time it just right,
Then you did it;
You knew you did it,
Returning with that big grin and wagging tail.

Remembering the intelligence, dignity, and goodness,
You carried yourself with an air of confidence,
No person was an enemy or a stranger,
Always willing to shake your paw,
Make a friend,
Always willing to keep me company,
Being there in my gloomiest of days,
Brightening them with your big head on my lap,
Pawing me until you got my attention,
Then helping me reach happiness once again,
Patience with me like no other,
Oh I miss you so, Romeo.

Ah then came the need for a lady,
Juliette was picked just for you,
You were a proud Daddy,
Then they all became too much,
Growling them away,
Until only one was left.
Destined to stay with us,
Size and a slightly different demeanor,
Made RJ the right fit for our little family,
Although you growled when he came near,
He knew you loved him,
Oh Romeo, he loves you so much.

Remembering the days of traveling,
Oh how you loved to drive around,
Our van was more like your van,
We saw many things,
Traveling miles and miles,
Together, with you as the navigator,
Your paw on the armrest or on the window
Smiling at everyone that came around,
Making everyone smile at you,
Looking so regal in your throne.

I was always proud of you,
It was an honor to know you,
You will always be in my memories
Always in my heart,
We lived a life together,
Years of companionship and love,
Loyalty like no other,
You listened and taught me many things,
Mostly how to be a decent being,
As you displayed all your life here on earth.

I know you are resting in peace,
Dear Romeo, friend of mine,
Son like no other,
I will join you one day,
And we will play and play,
Football, fetch, or going on long walks,
Once again becoming a duo,
Separated no longer,
I look forward to once again be with you,
Love you always,
Romeo, my Rom-Dawg, my Rome,
Names I loving you called you,
And you always came.

Romeo
Remembering You,
Rest in Peace,
Mi Amigo,
Remember…All Dogs Do Go To Heaven
- Salvador Inocensio -
May 19, 2010

A Sweet Little Memory

I was just listening to the song, “Too Close” by Next, which came out in 1996 or so, and a funny and sweet memory came to mind. We were having a class party, in which I allowed my sixth graders, … Continue reading →

To All Educators Starting the School Year Today (Pt. 2):

Don’t forget, don’t stress the small stuff, because as you are stressing, life is passing by right before you. God bless you all, and though I won’t be there, I will have all of you in my
prayers during the year.

Your friend and former teacher,

Salvador Inocensio Jr.

The Inocencio Empire – A New Global Network; Members Only

A Proposal to All Members of the Great Inocencio Empire

    Hello, Respectfull Emperor and Members of the Inocencio Empire;

    I propose to you, that the Inocencio empire not just be an empire in name only, but an empire of global power, a network of individuals, with one commonality; the Inocencio/Inocensio/Ynocencio, name. I propose that the Inocensio Empire become an powerful worldwide network of individuals with the belief of being a charitable empire, helping not it’s members, but other individuals globally, as needed, through the power of a global network of resources provided by the member’s talents, financial power, or other resources.

     The Inocensio Empire, I propose, become, first a thread, growing to the strength of a cable, capable of making a difference in this world we live in. The members of the Inocencio Empire form an global empire willing to give what they can, to help make a difference in the lives of others, especially, with the name of Inocencio. I propose that setting up a database within the Facebook website set up by the Emperor of the Inocencio Global Empire. This database would index our individual resources, that each can make available in times of need, to help one another and to create a charitable purpose for the Inocencio Empire by agreeing on a non-profit charity that all members agree to sponsor, with the goal of making a difference.  Furthermore, all members of the Inocencio Empire would be encouraged to actively recruit new members, making the thread of commonality stronger.

    I propose that the Inocencio Empire, is created to promote the beliefs of individual total freedom, the freedom of religion, the freedom of any beliefs, without persecution and harassment . The Inocencio Empire, believes in global charity with the goal to make a better world for all members, the members believe in being free thinkers, that believe knowledge is power, and the Inocensio Empire believes each individual on this planet has the freedom of movement, regardless of political borders and the right to each’s individual pursuit of happiness. Because we live…. In this time and in this place,

Find us at Facebook;

Inocencio Empire

Elementary School Teacher Placed on Administrative Leave; Accused of Making An Outlandish Threat

Now Feels Persecuted, Harassed, Abandoned, Unwanted by a District That Needs and Heavily Recruiting Teachers Of His Qualifications

The other day I asked, “How can you persecute a man that is truly wants to be at an inner-city school, nestled in the southeast neighborhoods, that  usually is not the first choice for teachers would choose?” I did put the question out there with intentions of getting my story out of what I have been going through these past few years, trying to be an effective teacher, in these turbulent times in our world. I thought it would be a good hook to begin a  discussion about the events that have occurred and other important issues. I also feel guilty and selfish tooting my own horn, or should say crying out loud in public. But, it didn’t matter, because I did not get any responses except for two loyal friends and one loyal reader of my sporadic writing, (got lots of ideas, but not much in the ganas area of my life, therefore no follow through on those ideas,).

One other thing, before I get started here on the main topic of this blog post, I don’t  know where to start, how to begin, and am unsure of myself as a writer. But I do feel the calling to write, to journal, to speak out, to be heard, and to have a willing audience. So, here I sit, stuck, and looking at a pretty pathetic excuse of a blog. Is it a metaphor of my life as it exists right now, if your home or house is a metaphor of your life, then is website or blog also a reflection of you, so here I sit, in front of my laptop, which has in itself, every kind of bell and whistle to keep me distracted, if I want to be. So that is why, you see the my spaces in the world wide web, unkempt, and unwanted.

So, back to the scheduled program or topic, the ongoing persecution of a teacher, teaching in a very volatile, one of the lowest  performing schools in one of the lowest performing districts  of one of the lowest states. I love being here despite,  a  high suspension rate, high poverty rate, almost all are either English language learners, migrants, children of immigrants, children born in poverty, drugs or gangs. All that comes with those concerns of society, become concerns of their neighborhood schools. I love it so much that in 16 years, I had only one sick day used, other absences include bereavement leave for my parents, her parents, and a brother.  I love working with the families that live in this area, the students overall  are great and deserve a staff that is stable, in a lives, that might be as stable.

I always considered my school as an extension of myself and is my home. I have always done the extras so that our students had activities, like after school sports, field trips, academic competitions, and other many fun stuff a teacher does. In my classroom , after the annual normal shakedown, students that need to be moved, due to personality clashes among the three Important parties if a student is to be successful in school. I understand that I am not going be liked by everybody, and that I might be a little abrasive, or loud, outgoing, or have to high of expectations of my students. I love to cultivate a true community of learners, respecting everybody, saluting their  culture, taste, viewpoints by learning more about each than just a name.

Everything I do, say, or create during the year, goes to supporting my career as a successful, effective, professional, even giving up my family member’s time and energy at times. I have always stayed abreast with trends, news, or new teaching methods, that will help me reach and educate my students. I am always willing to try new things, actually just about anything to  accomplish that important goal I have every year: to educate, mentor, and support my students for the rest of their lives. This I do, to the best of my abilities, nothing I do is done to intentionally hurt a student, or for a child to feel threatened.

I do get serious, real quick,  with a stern face and a loud voice, mannerisms that are times boorish, I know I can scare lots of kids. My intentions, when it comes to discipline, is stop the bad, or unwanted behavior, without wasting to much precious instructional time or to make sure it is not repeated. If I have done something wrong, I should be judged knowing my true motives or intentions were to help my students, and in my heart I did what ever I did with that in mind.

I have been to the principal’s office around thirty times this year, and it is only half gone. Thirty times, I have been accused of various unprofessional behaviors, of which two letters of concern, both filled with various accusations were generated, read to me, and placed in my personal file.  At no time was I believed, when I explained the true facts of some of the most outlandish lies and slanderous accusations I have been charged or accused of. Some of which comes from people who  in passing thought they heard what they heard, without the benefit of knowing the whole picture, only the vignette, they heard. Thirty times, despite coming into the year ready to improve, be more cooperative, more of a team player, more of a grade level  partner with my grade level peers. Thirty times to the principal then without warning, asked not to come in at all. Three weeks of being accused, and no one wants to hear the defense’s side,  or communicate with me regularly, so I know what is currently happening to my case and where I stand. Three weeks later, I am still not working, still not teaching, still  not doing what this country needs me and trained me to do; teach.

In conclusion, I know I am using the word persecution loosely, but the constant harassment from my superiors, has left me very rattled, unconfident, looking over my shoulder at all times, distrusting everybody, reaffirming those I can trust, virtually a bumbling idiot. I feel very unwanted in a situation where everybody is looking for people to be there. People like me in fact, male, a minority, a member of the largest culture group  in the school, bilingual, a U. S. Navy veteran honorably discharged, family man, college grad, all the other credentials,  16 years experienced, and willing to do anything the district wants me to do. So, I ask, why am I being persecuted, when all that is at stake is my unblemished career, and the education of my students?

I Yam What I Yam

      Thoughts and Experiences of a 20th century man, just what you wanted to read, ramblings of a outdated individual. Well basically I hope not to ramble on but to inform you and enlighten you. I call myself a 20th century man because that is when I did most of living, formulating who I was and where I belong in this world. I was comfortable in the 20th century and I miss it. This century seems to belong to another generation, or another culture, at times I feel like in another country, or someplace foreign to me. This century doesn’t have the feel of the last century, the problems seem more intense and coming at you faster than ever. Maybe its the constant bombardment of information, or the urgency that our electronic devices brings with them. Gotta have it now, Gotta have it now, seems to be the mantra of the new generation. There is no time to reflect on where we been or where it is that we are going. In my estimation, the new century, is a not a place for the laid back person of the last generation. It is time of constantly being introduced to new things, new thoughts, new people, new languages, new words, new way of doing things and a time of turmoil.

     We of the last century, sometimes called baby boomers, were more laid back, doing things our way, and always challenging the system.

We started our life with people of the 19th century and their thoughts, values, traditions, their technology and ways. Our grandparents and great-grandparents talked of crossing the frontier on horseback, seeing a car or airplane for the first time. They talked of historical people they admired or hated or of events of their time. For the most part, we really interested, in the old stories, in fact we always made time to just sit and talked. My values and ideas were sprouted in those times, watching Hopalong Cassidy or Sky King on the black and white television, where the good guy always won and was of good morals. I am of the time when I could go hiking and find artifacts of the settling of the old west, a time when the valley I live in was wide open farm land and the air was so clean. I was of time when everything seem to have its natural predictable place and would always be there. Any little bit of change was news to all of us, not like today when everyday brings changes to our lives. I am a  20th century modern man and that’s what I am going to write about our modern times.

     I am so lucky to live in this day and age, I am a free American of Mexican descent, a History major that has studied the past extensively and I know how lucky I am to life in this time. Even twenty to thirty years earlier I would probably not had the freedoms and opportunities that I am privilege to have. In the future, I am sure will not be as stable as these last few decades have been. We are in for a lot of political uncertainties, shortages of all kinds that will make life hard or some changes that will restrict our freedom. Even today I feel I was more free

in the Sixties and Seventies than in this century. The world seems more crowded, lots more tension, strangers in our neighborhoods and a bunch of new laws and restrictions. In the last century, we chose how we were going act or do things, the governments were not so intrusive as they are now. I believe that there are rules for many things that we did back then because there was a lot less of us.

     So as a man of the 20th century, I welcome you to read My Thoughts and Experiences, my poetry, and my essays. Enjoy and like Popeye says, “I yam what I yam and thats all that I yam.”