It all started on
the day before the first day of school. I was prepping for the big day, when they
called me from the office. They told me that I had to teach another course, 7th
Grade regular math in addition to 2 remedial math courses and 2 Spanish 3 Pre
AP classes. This new addition was going to be at the expense of one Spanish 3
class unless I recruited 50 students to take the exam and pass. They almost
made it impossible, I failed to get required number and was left with only one
Spanish 3 course instead of 2, a 7th grade math class, 2 Math 180
courses, an ISS period, 8th grade athletics, and 7th grade
athletics. I talked to the Foreign Language director at MISD, but there was
nothing she could do for me. I had no choice but to accept for the good of the
kids. After all, everything that I’ve done for the past decade was for the San
Jacinto kids. Everything! They told me that I couldn’t coach cross country this
year since I was already a football coach in the fall. The high school coach
did not let that happened. I was able to coach and fit practice in my daily
schedule early in the morning before football. Our meets were every Saturday, a
weekend day that we sacrificed, but we competed. We were hands down the best in
the city, and we showed it during the meets. Placing number 2 or 3 every time
for both boys and girls divisions. Football season was a struggle but we were
able to win a few on Monday nights for 8th grade and on Tuesday
nights for 7th grade. Basketball season kicked off and I had the
honor to coach the 8th grade basketball A Team. The struggle came
from dealing with 2 injured players and one player forced to move because his
transfer was revoked. The team competed anyway every Monday or Thursday night.
In track season, we were City Champions. We coached one of the greatest track
teams out there. My long distance runners were, no doubt in my mind, the
hardest workers. Soccer began and they told me that I couldn’t coach it even
though the boys were going to have 2 teams since I have already done 4 sports.
I told them that I would coach this 5th sport for free. I did! We
had to play the number 1 seed in the tournament since we finish last in the
regular season, but took them to overtime and fell short on penalty kicks. It
was a great way to end the season despite our shortcomings, we put up a fight
and gave the other team a good scare.
Overall, I know my students did great on
the STAAR, and we continue to learn and grow. I wouldn’t want to teach or coach
anyone else or anywhere else. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Even the
knuckle heads. Everything I did this year: the sacrifices; growth spiritually;
and pilgrimages was for them. To bring something back, to share the graces with them. I wanted
to give them something more than just knowledge and treats, and field trips. I wanted
to give them more important things. I wanted to give them everything I had even
if I didn’t have much. I wanted to be there for them. I just wanted them to be
happy, and learn obedience, be hard workers, and good Christians. I wanted to
model that for them. I wanted to share the good news to them. That love was our
mission. To never quit trying, never quit getting better. To clean up their
attitude because that just led to self-destruction. To want to be the best. Having
the pride and desire to be number one in the district even though the odds were
against them. Having that underdog attitude to endure and conquer. I wanted
them to have it all, even if it meant them hating me. Even if I had to step
down and not take credit for anything, or appreciated, or loved. As long as
they were the benefactors, as long as it was for their good, and as long as
they were happy. With God in their life, they could end up on top of the world.
They will be able to overcome all the struggles in the world. They will one day
handle relationships better than me, be smarter, more athletic, and receive more
graces from God. It was not about me this year. Even if I had to be the bad
guy, it was not about me. It was about their well-being. It was about our Lord
and Savior. Of course their young minds do not understand that right now, but
one day they will. When that day comes, I don’t want them to remember me or
thank me, I want them to thank God for loving them, for having mercy, and for
granting them all the blessings in the world. That’s my ultimate wish for these
kids. That God fulfill the desires of their hearts and that they receive not
just some blessings, but ALL the blessings in the world. There are some things money can’t buy, for everything
else there is sacrificing everything. Everything that I’ve done for the past
decade was for the San Jacinto kids. Everything! I would teach as many courses
as possible. I will coach every sport possible and work as many hours possible,
even if it seems impossible. Even if I fail. I will leave no stone unturned. I would
do it over and over again for them! I love every single one of them. Yes, I said every single one of them. #SJ4Life
