Ask Dennis Gonzalez Part 2

[Jesse]

Dennis, I hope this resolves in your favor, and soon. I will watch for updates.
Until then, I am rooting for you.

Jesse

[DavidM]

Dennis-

I certainly hope you win out on this. Don't they know who you are? One would think that public schools would want creative, talented, dedicated, and caring teachers. It really seems at times that this county wants to maintain a status quo of safe mediocrity. Don't let them get you down!!

[robin bell]

Dennis-

I certainly hope you win out on this. Don't they know who you are? One would think that public schools would want creative, talented, dedicated, and caring teachers. It really seems at times that this county wants to maintain a status quo of safe mediocrity. Don't let them get you down!!

dennis, so sorry to read about this impediment. just to let you know you have a corner, well an entire block cheering, thinking, and praying for your triumph. i'm sure you must feel tormented. try to maintain grace and a higher spirit while these terrible forces push. take care.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Dennis, I hope this resolves in your favor, and soon. I will watch for updates.
Until then, I am rooting for you.

Jesse

Thanks, Jesse...I know you are always there in my corner.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Dennis-

I certainly hope you win out on this. Don't they know who you are? One would think that public schools would want creative, talented, dedicated, and caring teachers. It really seems at times that this county wants to maintain a status quo of safe mediocrity. Don't let them get you down!!

Hey, David, thanks for the good wishes. The administrators in charge of this principal do know me and my various directions in teaching, art, music, writing, and community, and that is exactly why they decided to meet with me about this. Listen to this: I was told by the area superintendent's office that they're getting 200 to 300 requests a week to meet with anyone from their office because there are so many problems within the school district at this time. I was told that because of my seniority and my notoriety I was being skipped to the front of the line of requests. I said to the representative, "Put me someplace - if I have to move - where you can take advantage of my creativity, knowledge, experience, and chops as a teacher...please don't send me to a school where I will be a hall monitor for 6 months!"

People like you who express their admiration and disgust with the status quo are who keep me going and positive!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

dennis, so sorry to read about this impediment. just to let you know you have a corner, well entire block cheering, thinking, and praying for your triumph. i'm sure you must feel tormented. try to maintain grace and a higher spirit while these terrible forces push. take care.

That's a great reto, as we say in Spanish...an encouragement to keep my head up and be filled with grace.

A beautiful prayer.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Dennis, as you know, you are obviously dealing with a principal with no principles. Hang tough, mi hermano!

[Gary Sisco]

Man, I'm sorry to hear about this trouble coming into your life *again,* D. This principal is clearly seriously disturbed and ought to be canned as soon as possible. I can't even imagine a school wanting to lose a teacher like yourself, even to retirement.

In this case, at least, I have faith. I just can't imagine that between your meetings with the higher ups and your union that she'd be able to go forward with this idiotic campaign.

You have good karma to spare and I remain confident that you'll be ok.

In the meantime, if there's anything I -- we -- can do to help, please let us know.

Venceremos!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Dennis, as you know, you are obviously dealing with a principal with no principles. Hang tough, mi hermano!

I tell you, Jimmy, she's just to weird for words, my brother! Isn't this just too strange?

I promise I'll hang tough, my man!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Man, I'm sorry to hear about this trouble coming into your life *again,* D. This principal is clearly seriously disturbed and ought to be canned as soon as possible. I can't even imagine a school wanting to lose a teacher like yourself, even to retirement.

In this case, at least, I have faith. I just can't imagine that between your meetings with the higher ups and your union that she'd be able to go forward with this idiotic campaign.

You have good karma to spare and I remain confident that you'll be ok.

In the meantime, if there's anything I -- we -- can do to help, please let us know.

Venceremos!

The FBI has been at school - this is just another facet of this fascinating administration - looking into allegations of a grade changing scheme. It just keeps getting worse, but lucky for us, school end in three weeks.

Word is out on the street that she won't be back next year...it'd be ridiculous if she were!

[Ron Thorne]

Dennis, I truly hope that you're spared any further indignities and that the principal gets shown the door . . . quickly and permanently. Perhaps early retirement would be perfect for her, not to mention the faculty, staff and students.

You have many in your corner, my friend.

[jaka]

Hi Dennis.

Sorry to hear the lady is after you again.

A word from you and I'll bomb her. Just tell me where and when.
I'm usually not the violent type, but I'm definitely in assassination mode these days, primary target being our soon-to-be-or-so-we're-told president.
I've prepared for exile and hiding anyway, so better take advantage of it.

Anyway, hope things get better, thoughts are with you and all bad vibes directed to this harpy.

Take care.
Stephane




.

[Gary Sisco]

It'll be good to get her away from the kids, too, someone that unstable.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Dennis, I truly hope that you're spared any further indignities and that the principal gets shown the door . . . quickly and permanently. Perhaps early retirement would be perfect for her, not to mention the faculty, staff and students.

You have many in your corner, my friend.

When someone in our school district is incompetent (or dangerous to the kids), he or she is usually promoted or moved to another school. Never fails.

Cool with me, as long as my current principal's shadow never falls across the threshold of North Dallas High again!

[Gary Sisco]

Dennis -- We used to do the same in the service. If someone was really a fuck up, the thing to do was promote them, which would almost always come with a transfer attached, which was the point.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Hi Dennis.

Sorry to hear the lady is after you again.

A word from you and I'll bomb her. Just tell me where and when.
I'm usually not the violent type, but I'm definitely in assassination mode these days, primary target being our soon-to-be-or-so-we're-told president.
I've prepared for exile and hiding anyway, so better take advantage of it.

Anyway, hope things get better, thoughts are with you and all bad vibes directed to this harpy.

Take care,
Stephane

I will keep you in mind. I'll tell my beleaguered colleagues about you as well.

A few months ago I was awakened by a horrible dream about a harpy...a living, breathing, flesh-and-blood harpy. I brooded on the meaning of it, and I was thoroughly scared for a few days. I think you have figured out what my dream was about. Thanks.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

It'll be good to get her away from the kids, too, someone that unstable.

No Sher, shitlock.

We used to do the same in the service. If someone was really a fuck up, the thing to do was promote them, which would almost always come with a transfer attached, which was the point.

Well, in this case, that's exactly what this principal is...and we have proof, since our test scores came in yesterday and North Dallas High didn't do too well under her "leadership". It's time to move her up and reinstate me!

[Gary Sisco]

Esquela Libre O Morir!

[Gyrofrog]

I had three sleepless nights, pissed off as hell, and then I'd decided that I would let it ride until the District made a decision, and then I would act...Thanks for the good wishes. Aux armes, citoyens!

Very sorry to hear about this. As you had not mentioned any run-ins in a long time I figured no news was good news. Good luck to you, Dennis!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Esquela Libre O Morir!

I'm not sure I'd go that far!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Very sorry to hear about this. As you had not mentioned any run-ins in a long time I figured no news was good news. Good luck to you, Dennis!

Thanks. I was trying not to whine too much...

[Dennis Gonzalez]

I decided it was time to set up a website to document my 25 years of leading the Mariachi / Estudiantina program at North Dallas High School, the program my principal, Dina Townsend, would shut down if I was indeed let go from my present position.

There are years and years of files, press, photos, videos, history, archives, and stories, but this is just a beginning.

I hope it gives, in the few pages I've put up, a semblence of what has happened during the program's years of existence. I feel that the images of the few of the hundreds of students who've learned to play an instrument and sing under my guidance will touch you as a silent testament to the human spirit.

North Dallas High School Estudiantina Website

Please pass it on...

[VIBEr]

Dennis, I viewed the entire site, and it is so incredibly unique that I have to ask if, to your knowledge, this is the first program of its type in the country? Also, are there other ensembles of this type in schools?

Something that immediately hit me was how you would have to adapt nearly every year for variations in the instrumentation. I would tend to think that you couldn't really have "charts" for such a unique group. Is everything this group plays head arrangements?

[Gary Sisco]

Incredible, Dennis. And ammunition enough in itself on your side. I can't imagine that anyone sane would want you to have anything but a free rein to teach kids, in any school, anywhere. You're a real teacher.

[Ron Thorne]

Kudos to you, Dennis.

The Mariachi/Estudiantina program you've lead is truly remarkable , and your pride is not only justifiable, it's at the core of the program's success, I'm sure.

All best wishes for continued success to you and the programs you've enhanced with your spirit and hands-on involvement.

[Mike Schwartz]

We may have touched on this over the years, regarding huge Mariachi events that take place in San Jose CA every year.

Here's the link to the really nice posters the organization has had over time http://www.mhcviva.org/posters.html

[mtaylorjazz]

Dennis,

Love the new digs! This is my first chance to pop into your "part II" thread. Not been doing too much "computering" these days except to look for a new place to live. Once I get settled, you'll be sick of me in here.



Sorry to hear about the continuing principal troubles. I thought you'd managed to get around all her crap and get on with your various missions in life (especially helping those kids). You know I'm pulling for you!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Dennis, I viewed the entire site, and it is so incredibly unique that I have to ask if, to your knowledge, this is the first program of its type in the country? Also, are there other ensembles of this type in schools?

Hey VIBEr...good to see you here again.

The San Antonio (Texas) and Dallas School Districts have had a running battle over who actually had the first Mariachi program in the country. From everything I've read, our program at North Dallas was the first, starting up in 1969. Now, these programs (still in the traditional Mariachi mode) are up and running all over the country. Mine is probably the only Mariachi program that has actually eveloved over the years to fit the changing student population and inclinations. At this moment, it is a more a guitar program, with students learning to play acoustic guitar, and then moving on as they progress to begin arranging and composing pieces.

I Googled School Mariachis and came up with student groups all over the US...Texas, New Jersey, Washington, California, even a program in Minnesota. I also know that Arizona and New Mexico have a bunch of programs.

Something that immediately hit me was how you would have to adapt nearly every year for variations in the instrumentation. I would tend to think that you couldn't really have "charts" for such a unique group. Is everything this group plays head arrangements?

In years when we have instrumental (other than guitar) ensembles, the pieces are arranged by rote, with the "head" serving as a basis for the music, but the strength of the ensemble dictates the movement of each piece. It is meticulously worked out section by section as we move forward through the piece.

The guitar pieces are unique, as frequently the students want to learn, say, a Metallica song that sounds like it would work on acoustic guitar...in that case we would sit down with the CD player and just go note by note and arrange as we go. Painstaking, but it's good work!

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Incredible, Dennis. And ammunition enough in itself on your side. I can't imagine that anyone sane would want you to have anything but a free rein to teach kids, in any school, anywhere. You're a real teacher.

Lots of people want to control that urge to be and think and teach freely, starting from the top levels of government down to the principal of a high school.

Thanks for the kudos.

And to go even further with the creativity bit, here is a new short vidclip of my tour with the Lisbon Improvisation Players in April.

[mtaylorjazz]

And to go even further with the creativity bit, here is a new short vidclip of my tour with the Lisbon Improvisation Players in April.

Very nice. Seems like you're having a ball with these guys.