After 37 years in being an educator, I've decided to retire.
37 Years is a long time.
I remember graduation from Incarnate Word College in the Spring of 1981, wondering where am I going to work? I have had several interviews but all seemed fruitless, I was an elementary certified teacher, in basically a seller's market. Lucy (my wife) and I crossed the stage, received our diploma, went home to our little duplex and celebrated. We had Kim (our daughter) then who was about 2 years old and we both had no jobs.
The next day I started looking for employment, I needed something since my "work-study" income for all intent and purpose was over. Remember the early 80's in TX was going through a recession that really didn't seem to affect the rest of the country....So, I started trying businesses, warehouses, and whatever...nope, nothing, nada......
Desperate, I went to the phone book and to the yellow pages....Yeah I went down the line and started phoning businesses from A to B...At B I dialed the Boys Club of San Antonio. A fella answered and started asking me who I was, some background, and I told him that I was looking for summer employment with hope of getting a job as a teacher the coming fall. The person I was talking to was named Rudy, He said to come on by and that he might have a job for me. I told him i'll be there in a few minutes...I was hired as a field trip supervisor and bus driver. He even took me the next day to practice driving the old B.C. bus and then we went to get the license....(lot simpler back then )
I scheduled field trips for the B.C. members, took them, monitored them, then brought them back to the club...I had a blast, and income to carry on. Lucy on the other hand, found a job at a Youth mental hospital, and we were set. We didn't need much money and we were just happy to have employment however temporary.
I was offered a full time position with the B.C. but received a call from Harlandale ISD, a south-side school district located in San Antonio. They didn't want me as an elementary teacher but as a science teacher. I needed 6 hours of science to complete certification requirements, but in the meantime I had a job for the fall and a job every summer with the BC.
I was the youngest faculty member, at the time at Harlandale Middle School. When I went for my interview with the Eddie P..the principal ( who looked and acted like Ricardo Molltoban),
the interview was scheduled after some fella who wanted a Vice Principal job at the same school. So he was seen before me, it was scheduled for 9 a.m. and I waited and waited, and waited.... 10....11....almost 12 p.m. I was pissed, finally that VP now...walks out all grin and giggles and I go in..
Eddie P. : "Mr. Fierros, I see you been sent here by HR to interview for the science position"
FF: (curtly..."Yes")
His interview continues.
Eddie P. : "You have to complete the certification requirements, but you have two years to do so"
FF: (curtly..."Yes")
Eddie P. : "Mr. Fierros (proud of himself, since he rolled the 'r's' correctly ) 8th grade is a very tough position at our school...do you believe you can handle the discipline.
FF: (curtly..."Yes")
Eddie P. :"What would you do if have misbehavior in the classroom?" (waiting for conversation)
FF: (curtly..." I won't")
Eddie looks at me kind of funny, puts a grim face, and tells me....
Eddie P. : "they are very very tough"
FF: (curtly..." not going to be a problem"
I was still pissed off, not a good idea, when you haven't had any idea where your next paycheck is coming in
Eddie P. : "Ok (extending a hand) I'll see you next week at the teacher inservice"
FF: (curtly..."Thanks")
That was the easiest interview I ever had...
HISD 13 years.....
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