I just finished visited with Nelda over the phone, and those of you who know allllll that she has endured are not going to believe this.  Of course, we should, because we know that "Through HIM all things are possible". 

Back to Nelda...Eddie took her up to the school campus where there is a very level walkway that extends approximately 50 yards in one direction.  Therefore, to walk down that walkway and back would be approximately the length of a football field.  Nelda completed the walk, almost completely unaided by Eddie, 12 times.  Yes....I SAID TWELVE!!!!!!  She walked the length of a football field 6 times with very short breathing and water breaks.  The very next day Eddie took her back and she made the walk 14 times=to the length of a football field 7 times.  "PRAISE BE TO OUR GOOD AND GRACIOUS GOD AS HE CONTINUES TO WORK MIRACLES IN AND THROUGH NELDA SOSA!" 

I told her to have Eddie take pictures or even videos so that we can upload it to this Blog Site....She is A Miracle in Motion.  Sweet Nelda has again, helped me through several more rough patches in my life. 

The unexpected, early loss of my Dear Aunt Shirley, who, in conjunction with her sisters Aunt Marilynn, Aunt Shirley, and Uncle Doug who all came into our lives like Gang Busters to take care of us during Mom's 12 Year fight with Alzheimer's Disease.  The last two weeks of Mom's life, they all came to Corpus and stayed by our sides until Mom's last breath when she was Mercifully released from her broken shell of a body to join the Resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ and take residence in the Mansion he has prepared for us.  Scripture reminds us that "His mansion has many, many rooms and we will one day be where he is now" (paraphrase). 

 Last August 30th (2010), we surprised Dad on the day that he closed on his house...signing all the papers on his new home...close to my house.  It was Mom's first Birthday "on the other side of eternity" and we told Dad that we were just going to have some cake and punch celebrate Mom's Birthday. 

Well....Aunt Shirley, Aunt Marilynn, Aunt Joyce, Uncle Doug, the kids, and some of our dearest friends all showed up to surprise Dad and help him with the transition to his new home.  During the week, while I was working, they went and picked up Nancy (my cousin who lives in an Adult group home for individuals with Down's Syndrome) and they surprised me at work.  Nancy was able to meet our PPCD Teacher, Karne Anderson (a phenomenal teacher who we lost this year).  They also took Nancy swimming and out to dinner.  What special memories they made.  Little did we know, that would be the last time Aunt Shirley was able to spend time with her Dear Nancy and that almost one year later she would join Mom in God's Heavenly Kingdom. 

 Nelda's unconditional love, support, and most importantly prayers have sustained me through these very difficult days.  Additionally heartbreaking, as I was returning to Corpus from Aunt Shirley's funeral in Cedar Hills TX. and her Burial in Pflugerville, I received a call from my assistant principal at Salazar Elementary. The school where I have served as principal for the last 2-3 years. The school where Dad played Santa Claus for the last two years, a school filled with the most brilliant children who I always reminded that they were Character-Filled and College-Bound. The School where I opened daily announcements introducing the students by the year they would graduated from Robstown High School....ex:  "We have two students here from Ms. Rodriguez's class and the Robstown High School Graduating Class of 2024"  ...I would even somtimes throw in the year they would graduate from the college of their choice in 2028.  The students would introduce themselves and then lead the entire school in the Pledge of Allegience, the Pledge of Allegience in Spanish, the Texas Pledge, the Character Pledge, the National Anthem and a moment of Silence.  I would then go on to announce the class with the highest attendance average the 2nd highest etc...The kids would get a "cool pencil" and return to their classrooms. 

This tradition was actually put into place by the previous campus principal Mrs. Cristina De Alejandro, a lady who taught me so much, endured so much, yet received so little.  My intention returning to Robstown five years ago was to learn, through hands-on experience, about the elementary level.  I was soooo happy working as Mrs. De Alejandro's Assistant Principal for Instruction, and when she was moved to the Alternative Leaning Center during the summer after my first year working with her, I refused to move into her office or change anything.  I knew that this action taken against her was wrong. I knew it was political in nature and refused to be a part of it. I knew she was filing to be reinstated and she was (rightly so).  However, not even a whole year later, the same administration, indicated that all students from PK-3 through 6th Grade were going to be housed at Ortiz Intermediate; therefore, she agreed to take the principalship.  She and I both knew that when the consolidation was complete we would work together again.  As things often do, the administration changed, the plan to consolidate was changed, and once again, I was made the interim-Principal of Salazar. 

 Mrs. De Alejeandro urged me to apply for the position; however, I struggled with the decision.  Mrs. De Alejandro did not deserve the cards she was dealt, but she looked beyond her own struggles and continued to encourage me to apply.  I finally, after much prayer, followed her direction and applied.  After holding down the Interim-Position for another entire semester, I applied and was named the Principal for Salazar Elementary at the beginning of the 2009-2010 School Year. 

When our campus received the TEA recognition plaque for now being a RECOGNIZED campus it should have had Mrs. De Alejandro's name on it and I made that very clear when I spoke at our Celebration Dinner at Joe Cotten's.  I asked her to attend and receive it, but as always, in proper form, she declined and quietly left me to receive the Honor for an accomplishment which was obtained by the awesome faculty and staff  under her leadership.  All I did was follow her blueprint and as prescribed by law worked towards continued school improvement. 

 But to this date, I will never forget the grace by which she handled herself in that situation and many other similar situations.  Especially now as I face the same treatment she received...getting back on the point. 

My Asst. Principal for Instruction called me on the last day of my Aunt's Services to tell me that there had been changes in the district.  She said several people were called in and given a talk by the acting Superintendent.  They were then given letters and dismissed.  I said, "What did they say?"  She responded, "Mine says I am the principal of Salazar Elementary and that I will receive a pay increase."  My heart stopped, I couldn't believe my ears.  I knew I was hearing wrong.  After all the work I put into preparing for the new year even during my short summer vacation and the two previous weeks." 

Still in disbelief I asked, "Where am I going?"  She responded, "When we all talked in the parking lot, by process of elimination, we think you are at Ortiz Intermediate".  I said, "How can you know? Was I the only one not at the meeting?"  She responded, "The API from San Pedro wasn't there, but he did not apply for Ortiz so it can't be him".  I asked, head still spinning, "Does it say you are the Interim-Principal?"  She said, "No...it says that I am the Principal and will receive a pay increase."  I asked, "Why wasn't I told this?  Why am I finding this out from you?"  She said, "Well that is just what we think 'through process of elimination'".  She said that she was to acquire her new position the following day.  I asked, "Where do I go?"  She responded, "I guess you go to the Superintendent's Office".  At that moment, I truly knew how Mrs. De Alejandro must have felt, especially after all the time and energy she had invested in her campus.  

I felt chewed up, spit out, and then chewed up again.  I felt like I was floating in limbo.  I did not know how to fill.  I had received approval from the Supt. himself to attend my Aunt's Funeral and I just knew there had to be a mistake.  I knew that he would have called me personally to let me know of this change.  I knew that this man I had come to admire so greatly would never do this to me right before school was about to start.  But I, like Mrs. De Alejandro, was mistaken.  I returned home to voice mails from numerous personnel members; however, none from the Supt. The indiviudals indicated that they "heard" I was the principal at Ortiz Intermediate.  My fears were confirmed.  It was true.  The Central Admin. had allowed me to completely prepare my campus for another school year and then swiped my legs out from under me at the last second. 

 It was not the fact that I was going to Ortiz Intermediate as I know those kids they were in my PK, First, and Second Grade classes at Salazar.  They are phenomenal children and deserve only the best. I know Which, in my opinion, they had..Mrs. De Alejandro. Yet, they  wiped her legs out from under her too and moved her to the Junior High School without warning. 

 I called my sweet, dear Nelda for prayer immediately.  RISD is a district she dearly loves and dedicated years to the students through her PreAP English Classes at the High School.  She came to school on a walker after brain surgery, eye surgery, and many other life-threatening procedures.  After she lost her vision completely and much of her mobility, she still attended her students' graduation with the help of her husband.  She too, was in shock as she knew how much I loved my job.  She said she would start a prayer vigil as she also knows how I struggle with severe asthma and more recently Adult ADD.  She promised me that "He who is in us is Greater than he who is in the world".  Through all of this I still had no solid confirmation that I was officially assigned to Ortiz; however, I did know that almost the entire front office staff at that campus where I was being "relocated" had been disbanded which meant I was going to have to start from scratch with the students coming back to school in the following weeks. 

 I prayed long and hard with Nelda; however, the next morning I woke up with extreme chest pain that shot into my left jaw and down my arm.  My asthma began full force and Dr. Lovoi's office took me in right away.  I was immediately given a steriod shot, and directed to stay home until the following Friday (with a Wednesday follow-up).  They prescribed medication to reduce the swelling in my ears and throat and relax my esophagus which was going into spasms. 

Prior to going into the Doctor, I texted all of my supervisors and also asked Mrs. Toni Gomez to email the Superintendent since I was unable to access my school email.  At approximately 2:30 p.m. I scanned the doctor's orders and sent them to all supervisors and to my own email address to make sure it went through.  I was still uneasy so I used my daughters laptop on a final attempt to get into the District Email and I was able to.  I once again, sent the medical orders to all of the same supervisors and I set my mail to indicate 1. if the email was received and 2. to indicate if the mail was "read". I received confirmation that it was received and read. 

 The following day (Tuesday) I received a phone call indicating that the Superintendent's secretary was calling all of the campuses looking for me giving the impression that I was simply a "no show".   Again, that was so humiliating since I had followed all proper procedures.  However, I knew that the wheels were in motion (not sure who was powering the vehicle) but I was receiving retaliation in the worst way. 

Individuals who I respected were seemingly trying to put enough pressure on me to get me to leave the district.  Earlier in the year, I tried to bring the District's attention to the fact that there were documents regarding teacher/staff funding that were contradictory, outdated, and needed to be corrected before I would have my teachers sign them.  I indicated that these documents stated that the teachers kept time & effort documentation all year regarding the time dedicated to certain programs (example: migrant, bilingual, etc...); however, we were never told they were funded in that manner, and I would not have them sign a false statement. Another Elementary Principal had voiced the same concern.  The central office staff indicated that they would correct it by attaching the required documents; however,  I respectfully, still refused to sign these documents because these were documents that were to be maintained at the classroom level and our teachers should have had them in their hands from day one.  I would not aske my teachers to falsify a document. 

At that point, another principal said, "The job descriptions come from Human Resources".  Without thinking, another principal shouted out, "No, the Asst. Supt. for Human Resources said 'you' and 'you' did all of these documents for him".  She pointed at the Executive Director for Federal and State Programs and the Business Director. 

 Bottom line, I, like the other principal knew that "Job Descriptions" are the responsibility of the H.R. Dept. yet apparently the H.R. Asst. Supt. had "delegated" this serious responsibility to these hard working ladies who would not be in the position to truly validate the contents of the documents. 

The Supt. then asked the group when the documents were given to us and who gave them to us, and we all said the Asst. Supt. for H.R.  The Supt. asked if the Asst. Supt. went over them with us and explain what needed to be done.  We all said "no..they were just handed to us while someone else was speaking". 

Apparently, because of this and other incidences where I have tried to help the district and bring areas of legal non-compliance to light, I am receiving adverse action in their effort to obtain my resignation and/or intimidate me and/or place me in a high stress setting which they know will agitate my asthma and be detrimental to the symptoms I experience from Adult ADD. 

In addition, I requested that my private belongings be left alone until I was well enough or could send someone to get them; however, I was told that the Supt. of Schools ordered the Head of Maintenance to come to my campus, pack all of my personal belongings, and move them to Ortiz Intermediate (all taking place without ever contacting me or officially notifying me of these changes while I am out on sick leave). 

In addition, the head of maintenance who, along with the Asst. Supt. were both involved in an unresolved investigation at the beginning of the 2010-2011 School Year.  This was an investigation concerning expensive technology equipment that the campus had just acquired through Federal Funds.

When I found out that the individual implicated was leaving the District in two weeks to take another job, I requested that his release from the district be put on hold until we could fully investigate.  I had documented evidence and I was ready to proceed and hopefully find the equipment that belonged to the students of RISD. 

However, upon requesting follow-up from the Asst. Supt. for H.R. by myself and the Technology Director the only response received was, "I am waiting on the Superintendent" (documented in an email). 

The next thing I knew this individual was released prior to his two weeks notice owed to the district, there was no follow-up on the missing equipment, and the issue was dropped. I locked up the inventoried equipment in the techs office and took possession of his laptop as per the Superintendent's direction as he was going to have it checked as a part of the investigation.  I locked it up. 

When the new tech. was hired, I refused to turn over the equipment in an attempt to follow the direction of the Supt.  I emailed the Supt. explained the situation, and he directed me to turn it over to the new tech. (documented in an email).  I followed the directive of the Superintendent; however, I was still concerned that there was never an investigation.  

 I do know that the Tech. Director in the position at that time did try to assist me with the follow-up, but we were shut down at the Asst. Supt.'s Level (I have email documents supporting this assertion). 

Back to the present... due to my illness I have not returned to work; therefore, I am "out of the loop", but  it is my understanding that this technology assistant, who was released prior to finishing his two week notice time and/or accounting for the missing equipment, was recently rehired as the Technology Director for the entire District. 

 I can only place that one in the hands of the Lord....I just don't understand.  In conclusion, at times I feel like crawling into a ball and giving up.  I wonder what is happening to this world.  Why are those who speak up, fight for the rights of the students, their parents, and the community, the employees who are pressured out of the District. 

Nelda reminds me that the kids NEED our voice.  She said, "Robyn, you know how at times you have to be my eyes?"  I replied, "Yes".  She continues, "Well, now you have to be their VOICE..you can't let  retaliation, harrassment, and fear for your health put out your light...because then who will be their VOICE...the kiddo's voice?  Will equipment, monies, etc...meant to accelerate learning for students...continue to "walk out of the District?"  Nelda asked.

She continued, "I do not want your health to decline, but the community needs to know what is happening...they need to know that GOOD people are being hurt...they need to know that GOOD people are leaving the district, not out of choice, but because they cared, they spoke up, and they are being shut down". 

She continued, "Do you remember that last year I taught, and you, and others bought me a speaker phone so I could continue teaching my classes after emergency retina surgery when I had to be face down for 6 whole weeks?"  I said, "Yes".  She responded, "You didn't let me give up then, and I am not going to let you give up."  "If anything", use my Blog to decimate the truth...be the VOICE of the students who are losing out due to a broken system." 

Nelda continued, "I know that some of those school board members may still remember my name, and I want them to know what is going on without them realizing it.  She continued, "I, like you, respect everyone of those school board members...they have a tough job as it is and then when they aren't dealt all the cards... how in the world can they play the game.  Yet, I have heard, at least when I was there in the District people insulting Board members down. However, those critical people don't realize that the School board does not have the whole picture.  The School Board is being made to look as if they do not know what is going on so that the crooked people come off looking good.  That is why you have to be the VOICE of the students. 

Coincidentally, and in line with what Nelda was saying to me, I recently finished the novel In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. It was a historical ffiction about the Dominican Republic in the early 60's. The premise of the novel was "the human cost of political oppression" which was centered around the Mirabel Sisters who in spite of torture, tragic loss, etc... They continued to stand against tyranny...especially fighting for the Freedom of Speech.  Over the years they came to be called the Mariposas (the Butterflies) and they became legendary.  Upon the anniversary of their tragic death(November 1960) people still shout "Vive Las Mariposas". 

These sisters refused to be locked within  cocoons of tyranny, oppression, fear, and intimidation.  One by one they broke free from their cocoon,  shed the  particles  tethering their wings, and learned to fly.  Because of their sacrifice, their people finally regained their VOICE, fought back and regained their basic human rights.

 

Upon my Mother's death butterflies have consistently been in my life and until I watched a documentary on the Monarch Butterfly, I did not know that they are the sign of "Resurrected Life".  I know that our GOOD, GOOD GOD only wants the best for all children and if he has called me to break free, fly, and remind  others to use their VOICE for GOOD..... then "HIS WILL BE DONE"

God Bless You Nelda for you Continued Inspiration and "Vive Las Mariposas".

w