First of all, I would like to share that I am an Irish-Mexican-American who loves his culture and our nation which has granted me an abundance of opportunities in life, although with some challenges I had to overcome to be where I am at today. I would like to mention that I have two half-brothers, three step-brothers, and three magnificent half-sisters. In addition to my siblings mentioned above, my mother had only an eighth grade education, and my father was only allowed to complete his schooling up to the second grade before being put to work on a farm in Galeana, Durango, Mexico. Moreover, my mother was a third-generation American, whose family came from Ireland while my father first came here as a migrant worker picking crops including tomatoes, cucumbers, oranges, and potatoes before settling down after being granted amnesty by The Immigration and Reform Act of 1986 during the Reagan administration which allowed him to become a legal resident, to which he has remained so even to this day.
In addition to this, I was born and raised on the Southwest side of Dallas in an area called Oak Cliff. I spent the majority of my childhood being raised by my mother who separated from my father when I was nearly five years old. In the home where I lived my oldest brother and I grew up together and my single mother worked primarily as a waitress and/or part-time caregiver who helped the elderly. During these years we were quite poor, although I never really understood how much so during this part of my life because many around us were living the same way which made it seem normal to me. Before my college education would take place, I first experienced an enormous amount of failure in Texas Public Schools including attending a total of seven different schools until the eleventh grade, where I frequently felt lost and had trouble understanding the content in class, which is when I came to believe I was incapable of passing my classes (especially Math) and dropped out of school. The experience of living poor, failing in school, and being in need, later influenced me in life to become an educator, because I came to realize how my educational choices after dropping out of school had impacted the quality of life for my children, wife, and myself. I came to understand that although the act of becoming educated can sometimes feel daunting, overwhelming, difficult, and challenging to say the least, the pay-off for doing so is tremendous.
In contrast to this earlier event, a few years after dropping out of school, I ended up becoming the first person in my household to complete my high school education by acquiring a G.E.D. and I then attended a trade school called American Trades Institute near North Dallas. While at the American Trades Institute, where I earned an Automotive Trades Degree, I learned how to repair vehicles, and this led me to become a technician in the automotive field. While working for Ford, I earned my ASE Master Technician Certification and Ford Senior Master Technician Certification in 2003. During this time, I worked as a Ford Senior Master Technician and shop foreman at a Ford dealership for a total of 16 years. While there, I trained many new technicians entering the field, repaired Diesel, Gas, Alternative Fuel, and Hybrid Electrical vehicles. It was during these years that I was given an opportunity to work as an instructor (part-time) at a local trades institute teaching automotive technology and got a little taste of what it was like to serve as an educator and I loved it! Therefore, I decided shortly thereafter, to quit my job, take what little retirement I had saved up and go to college and complete an education degree so that I could dedicate my life to what I love, which is helping others become excited about learning and growing in knowledge. Not too long after this experience I found myself graduating with Honors from Tarrant County College with an Associate's of Arts in Teaching Degree (4-8 EC-12 Special Ed). Next, I completed my Bachelor's of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree (Mathematics 4-8 with ESL Certification) at Tarleton State University with Honors (Magna Cum Laude). Shortly thereafter, I began educating our youth on the South side of Fort Worth at Morningside Middle School and served as a Math Teacher and the Department Chair of Mathematics for 4 years there. I then decided to get my Math High School Certification for Grades 9-12 in hopes of teaching High School. After acquiring my High School Math Certification I moved on to teach Algebra 1 at Dunbar High School on the East side of Fort Worth in Stop Six for two years which I thoroughly enjoyed. Finally, I was given an opportunity to work in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) at a district just minutes away from my home which is where I currently work now as a High School Math Teacher.
Last of all, in my free time I like to travel, camp, hike, mountain bike, backpack, fish, canoe and participate in church. I have been the Bible study coordinator at my church for over fifteen years and I have assisted with leading Bible studies in various places including at our parish, online, college campuses and a nearby prison. I have three wonderful daughters and a lovely wife. I believe an outstanding education is one of the greatest gifts any individual can obtain because it empowers them to overcome the obstacles in life that hinder their progress. In short, I can affirm that I truly believe in educating our youth and assure you I will offer an equitable education to each and every student who enters my classroom. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me.