25 Years of Teaching

I am now entering my 5th year of teaching band at Los Obispos Middle School in Laredo. So far, it has been great experience working such wonderful students, fellow teachers, administrators, and parents. My co-worker, Victor Gunnoe, has been an exceptional person to work with.

Overall, this is my 25th year in education. Wow, where have all the years gone by? I had a great time in college at Western Illinois University in Macomb. During this period of time, I was able to study with Dale Hopper, Dennis Johnson, Christopher Izzo, Roger Collins, and many more. What a great group of educators whom really cared for us students! I was very blessed to attend this prestigous university.

I remember starting my career in Toulon, Illinois. I am blessed to still be in touch with a few of my former students at Toulon. I remember walking in the school and inheriting about 15 or so students. By the second week or so, we had about 17 -20 students. Our first goal was to perform at football games without any help from the local community band. We did it!! I remember the pride on their faces as we were able to perform by ourselves. I stayed at Toulon 2 years and then traveled down the road to Elmwood, Illinois. I spent 1 year at this school district and decided it was the right time to go back to school and earn my masters. Without hesitation, I enrolled at Vandercook College in Chicago, Illinois. I was able to study with several great educators including Victor Zajec, Roger Rocco, Ethel Merker, Bart Ghent, Michael Katterjohn, and many others.

After graduating from Vandercook, it was time to find another job. Things were tough in the midwest, so God blessed me and brought me to Laredo, Texas. I started out at United High School. This was an outstanding opportunity for me. I was able to teach with Javier Vera, Joel Wright, Carlos Gil, and Dennis Garza. They are still very good friends of mine. Later on, John Mallon, Luis Valdez and John Armstrong came on board. Great kids and support!! After 6 great years, I decided it was time to be a head director in Texas. I was the first head band director at John B. Alexander High School. We started with about 60 students (no seniors) and were able to put together a good program. During my last year, I realized that my family needed me and I needed a break from the hours taught at the high school level.

I went to the middle school level; first at Washington Middle School and now at Los Obispos Middle School. Both schools gave me the opportunity to develop my craft of composing/arranging music. I have many great memories of my years at Washington and now I'm making memories at Los Obispos.

In closing, I hope to teach about 10 to 15 more years and then hang up the baton. I hope that God will give me good health to continue.