Every Christmas I look forward to reading Mrs. Dora Ruiz’s letter to the editor. It is always a pleasure to read positive thoughts and comments that she alludes to in her letters. Maybe it is because I am biased toward teachers and educators, but so be it. Her stories remind me of similar situations I have experienced.
In her Dec. 25 letter, Mrs. Ruiz recounts a story about one of her teachers, Mr. R, during his rookie year at Los Fresnos Elementary School where she was a principal. That brought to mind the same kind of teachers I had when I was an administrator at Faulk Intermediate School (1981-1992).
The letter also reminded me of our dearly departed university professor, Dr. George Thompson, who stressed that the faculty would respond to the high expectations of the principal if those expectations were communicated. Dr. T would also say, “As is the principal, so is the school!”
Mrs. Ruiz has always been regarded as a “top-notch” educator with high expectations and great leadership skills, so why would Mr. R not want to meet and surpass those expectations? His story represents dedication and devotion to his profession and his mentor and his continue respect for her, or why else would he still be in communication with Mrs. Ruiz?
Communication plays a tremendous role in every endeavor, but it must be a two-way understanding. It is great to agree to disagree, but at least, discuss it. What is the end goal?
Mr. R was not rich when he started teaching, but we were told that we would never become rich by going into the teaching profession. I knew I wanted to be like my Aunt Raquel Pena since I was 3 or 4 years old because she used to take me on these long vacation trips, and she always had strawberry ice cream in her refrigerator. I thought she was so rich, and I imagined myself in her place. I became a teacher; I took vacation trips and I had strawberry ice-cream in my fridge.
In high school, I was fortunate enough to have one of my teachers, Miss Ofira Gonzales, take me under her wing. I didn’t know why because all of us thought she was so stern, strict and mean. Now it is so nice to still communicate with her on our Sunday phone calls and really “agree to disagree.” Of course, she is always right!
As one of her players on the Brownsville High School softball team, she required that I show her my report cards with all A’s in both subject content and conduct. I could not understand why the other players could get B’s and C’s and still play, but I had to sit out the game if I didn’t make all A’s. I didn’t want to lose my shortstop position. She also encouraged me to join extracurricular activities and found ways for me to make money for paying my dues by washing her car. She bought my pep squad uniform for me on the same payment plan.
Her goal was to get me to qualify for nomination and selection to the National Honor Society and earn the Pan American Round Table two-year scholarship to Texas Southmost College that I received.
It was not until later that Dr. Arnulfo Oliveira, our assistant principal, told me how Miss Gonzales had gone to bat for me at the committee meeting for selecting the recipients. Only then I understood why she had set such high expectations for me.
I relate this story as a possible comparison to how Mr. R felt about Mrs. Ruiz and although the scenarios are entirely different, I do know that both of us would never want to disappoint our mentor who believed in us.
As Mrs. Ruiz wrote in her letter, “Teachers are treasures …. and we should all resolve to take care of our teachers. They have the keys to make our children successful.”
Mrs. Ruiz, imagine how many keys you held in your hand. I am sure you will “agree to agree with me” that in the long run, we are rich. Just having our students and teachers continue communicating with us is worth having been a member of a very humble profession.
At any time you wish, please feel free to stop by and chat and I always have strawberry ice-cream in my fridge.
Teachers and administrators, take your profession to heart and always surpass those expectations set before you.
Judi “J.Rod” Rodriguez is a retired Brownsville teacher, coach and administrator.
