Respect for Exceptionality

by Samuel J. Bolduc (c) January 26, 2019 on LinkedIn

As the Founding Principal of the School of Fine Art "Leopoldo Sanbria Cruz" nearly 6 years ago, I am joyful that this place of learning is still serving the region of Guayama with a 1st class education... Despite the scars of Hurricane Maria, which sadly destroyed countless instruments, that were the object of my tireless grant writing...to see this damage was too painful to put in words. But the founding seeds had already symbolically flourished into magnificent trees...and even without leaves, it was only a matter of time until they would flourish again. There is still much work to be done, but I am heartened that my leadership sprouted empowered leaders-a plethora of learners and teachers that I was honored to have served, always giving my ALL as I have with any and all charges with which I have been entrusted. I am referring to a "brand" of dedication and authentic investment in one's craft that pays dividends to the tenth power, and imbues one with the clarity of purposeful service that is immersed in mindful reflection regarding the sacred charge bestowed upon all educators, which necessitates a disposition that evolves to meet diverse needs of all learners.

Said clarity embodies the devotion of this author who envisioned an environment of nurture and possibility though tireless efforts to raise funds through Federal (USA), State (PR) & Private Sector Grants and resource alliances from willing professionals in every field which added relevancy to the arts as a teaching tool; transcending the narrow lanes of the status quo throughout the US Public Education System that tragically encapsulate creative thought and expression as just entertainment. 

However, I strive for more...transformational teaching & learning which is a safe environment in which teachers and students are allowed to grow. This was one of many "hats" I wore as the Director of Schools for the City in which I was raised. I was the Principal of the School of Fine Art, I also was the Music Director at the School teaching strings full-time, along with an all star cast of teachers, and a facility that provided instruction in 19 Fine Art subjects  when considering the subcategories within each artistic discipline: (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass), Puerto Rican Cuatro (string instrument), "Bomba y Plena"(Traditional African Drumming, Song & Dance), a state of the art Stained Glass studio, Sculpture (Wood, Plaster, Marble), Classical & Jazz Guitar, Theater, Sewing & Costume making, Chorus, Chamber Ensemble Band & Marching Band, Piano, Visual Art, Modern Dance and copious opportunities to perform, whether you were outdoors in our interior courtyard which featured a stage & amphitheater, or the 220 seat auditorium. I was further honored to select and hire the best of the best for my hometown.

As I recall my incredible personal journey as a learner, teacher & educational leader, I recall contempt & disbelief from other professionals within my field; as some took a glance at my resume and noticed parallel full-time jobs, and thought it impossible or untrue. These "skeptics" most of the time just provide a good belly laugh, because if they really want to know more, they are welcome to buy my book, "The Ethnic Other": Puerto Rican Colonial Context, the proceeds of which will all be donated to the Puerto Rico relief effort. 

Unfortunately these same skeptics do at times illicit indignance from this public servant...because NO SYSTEM has the right to penalize or overlook exceptionality and experience... This is an indignance that rises above anger, ill will, or negative animus...even as a particular State denied reciprocity of this Permanently Certified Administrator, ignoring the triumphs of learning and tone deaf to a professional that had been issued a School Administrator & Supervisor Certificate (SAS) issued by the demanding standards of the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) since 2006, considering that by that time all necessary course work had been completed, and as an educator I had taught every core subject, from early intervention, special education, music, core subjects from K-12.

It is a heinous travesty that I have been told one to many times "Bolduc, stay in your lane, see that's the way you people are". But here is the dilemma, I don't see the lanes...and in all honesty I have no intention or desire to see them... I have loved every bit of my career which to observers doesn't add up or fit my age because they are viewing one's experience from a two dimensional perspective...as they overlook my many accomplishments, in part, due to my precocious and early start of my higher education journey.  

And why did I enjoy it so much? Because once you've tasted the self replicating fruit of knowledge...you have discovered the "hidden treasures of dark places" and just as one's eyes acclimate to the dark, the transformation of authentic discovery is so profound for the intellectual and emotional edifice of a mindful educator, that such a discovery will always bear the gift of "wonderment", one sheds the burden of a linear journey and embraces the refreshing continuity of awe of discovery & a irrepressible curiosity to learn. 

The same is true for the learner, because as the teacher guides their education, which in fact belongs to them, they are set free in the highways of their mind where there are no lanes, limitations or restrictions.

My professional experiences as a Higher Education professor in California, New York, & Puerto Rico, were also summarily dismissed. As this State Department of Education cited the lack of a three credit administrator internship for which my experience clearly overshadows. With the endorsement of my Superintendent, submission of months of agendas, hierarchy template submissions, letter from parents, and the endorsement of the host school, in which I founded TMI (Therapeutic Musical Intervention) K-13 which was based on peer reviewed research, case studies, personal journals, and bountiful quantities of data. This prompted Competent Jurisdiction (NYSED) to exempt me (OT-11 & OT-39 forms) from this requirement, because of my paid, documented administrator experiences, having surpassed the stringent requisites and regulatory requirements.

If you're still with me, at my former position I also founded the IDEAS Creative Learning Center (an acronym in Spanish which means, Institute for Development, Education, & Social Action)...providing community based contextual Learning, facilitated through the powerful lens of creativity. These achievements mentioned herein are a few of many initiatives that were designed based on mindful analysis of the many needs of our community; created for and with our community involvement as partners of an effective workforce, that were empowered with a space to express their concerns, develop their dreams, and embrace the awesome potential of creativity & the ideals of perpetual learning. IDEAS had set a historic precedent and multi-sector alliance that persuaded the owners Plaza Guayama Mall, to donate this space to our organization free of charge...indefinitely. This retail space placed a hybrid library and learning center of the Millennium, inside the largest indoor mall of the region. I am grateful to the owner's the Vazquez Family, who were persuaded to cross party lines that are invisible to me. They too were empowered, to look beyond their quarterly profits allowing us to provide this much needed service which was only one of 16 satellite public libraries as well as the Central Main Library adjacent to the Guayama City Plaza (Town Square). In every place that I worked I strived to weave the fundamental PILLARS of learning mentioned within this missive, into every core subject with relevancy for effective application to daily tasks and matters of social impact as we facilitated a mentality that helped our students with solutions helping to empower our teachers and student body to overcome their very real struggles at home and in their community. I presided over an education that has sprouted a generation of Global Citizens to promote the innate talent and creativity of the town in which I was raised. Guayama has been graced by a cultural heritage 2nd to none; Gladys Nieves an internationally renowned sculptor was the fertile ground around which we planted many seeds that promote the unequivocal importance of creativity, applied Fine Art instruction, interwoven into core curriculum and designed to listen to the community and adjust our interventions and/or teaching strategies--using empathy and context as our guide to inform the development of a holistic methodology that sought to meet the unique needs and learning style of our learners. We revamped our 220 seat theater, remodeled our administrative offices, and much more...assuring every community a space to grow and reach their full potential. All were enabled to participate in any Workshops at any one of said libraries, in which one could watch and participate in real-time through an intranet system of my design...technological workshops geared toward diversity and creativity under my philosophy and curriculum designed by this author ("The Bolduc Method") we boldly launched what I believe is the future of Public Education through the irrefutable evidence that firmly asserts creative problem finding which preemptively acts before the social atrophy has begun.

IDEAS was invited as an exhibitor at the Microsoft in Education forum forinnovation in the use of technology as a teaching tool through the integrated creative mind.

But that wasn't enough...

Lastly because I know that most of you are drowning in boredom. I was also responsible for the educational leadership of all schools in the Guayama Region which were my responsibility to monitor and prepare reports regarding their status (22 schools).

I write these words not for my own benefit but for the benefit of learners that have, and continue to be penalized for their exceptionality.