Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Friday, February 3, 2017
Julia Castillo Autobiographical notes
" Some of my life events, mostly as a "perennial" student, since high school in Barranquitas! and on...so that you, children, can read about the other side of me and as a non-teacher'; in-between teaching."
(The Hallmark store insists on sending me a birthday card one month before my date! They also do not know that I decided to stop getting older at the age of 80).
There is no attempt to follow this writing in chronological order but as I remember things but, here I go.
My sister and I went to school together, from first grade and thru college in spite of a difference in age of almost two years. My father, one of two Pharmacists in our little town of Barranquitas, insisted on disregarding the school rules. They would send me home as I was not of school age yet and he would take me right back as I remember, hand in hand. Of course it was no big deal since the school was named after my grandfather; on my mother's side, and three of the teachers were our aunts; on my father's side.
Life in Barranquitas was peaceful, or so it seemed even if the world was in the middle of World War II. This was a small town, doing what I guess we thought we should do... I felt that it was like a big family where every body worked, enjoyed life, looked after each other...
My brother was much younger than us. Nelly and I went to the catholic high school in town: Monsignor Willinger Academy, where I was a valedictorian, straight-A student, but was not really prepared to start university studies in Mathematics; not having taken all the prerequisites for a major in it; I found out. Nevertheless, I enrolled, against the Deans's advice, in the Math and Physics program at The University of . Rico; a great institution at the time, following the model of The University of Chicago. These were 4 years of fantastic learning. Very quickly, I decided I wanted to study medicine. My uncle, an ENT Doctor in Santurce, had insinuated it and had offered to eventually, pass his medical practice to me. At the university I was named secretary of "The Circulo de Premedicos" but that came to and end as soon as I was required to be present at an operation. Once I saw the doctor with the scalpel I was out...
Back to Math. I remember taking Modern Physics without having taken Calculus; nothing would stop me. The Dean's permission stated that I could take it "por necesidad y bajo mi responsabilidad". I remember drawing the "integrales and diferenciales" symbols without having any idea about their meaning.
(My sister was smarter to stay with her teaching career to the end and eventually becoming a Science School Coordinator.)
Enough of my crazy planning but, at the end of my Math/Physics degree, I was offered a teaching position at the College of Engineers on the other side of Puerto Rico; an all-male university. I was only 20 yrs. old and was not that brave to accept the job of teaching all males. Anyway I had no teaching studies. I ended up working as a Statistician for 4 years at the U.S. Dept. of Public Works in charge of a large group of engineering aids; most of them much older than my 21 years. They would collect traffic data for our analysis and
planning of roads in my country. It is amazing to me when I see, these days, the same rubber tubes across the roads they used to count the vehicles; I am sure they are computerized now but the method is the same after more than sixty years!
Yes, I had a lot of fun while in college going to dances; I loved to dance, participating in games, swimming (or rather siting around) attending good live theater, etc. ; but almost never to the movies.
After my 4 years of college I thought it might be a good idea to travel starting with the U.S and then Brazil and on...little did I know that I was afraid of flying and I was not really ready to leave Puerto Rico and the family. My plan was to start in Washington as a Statistician for the federal government. The application took too long for my liking so I accepted a similar job in New York in the meantime.
I find myself in another state/"country" and away from my family and sister!
My first regular job in the U.S. was as a Statistician with the Dept. of the Army using methods to determine the quality control of ammunitions! I remember getting to that interview in the middle of a very cold and snowy day; difficult to use my pen with my half frozen fingers; not still used to Winters. The head engineer greeted me with " I thought this candidate would be a man" statement. Those were the days of math for men only. I got the job. I also worked as an actuarial trainee for the - then well-known in the actuarial field: George B. Buck.
This is getting to be boring so I'll jump around to some of my "odds and ends" in no particular order:
Married to Carlos and with our first daughter, Diana, I ventured to work as a Statistician at The Federal Reserve Bank - we were living in New York State then. I had noticed that my math/physics background and my degree from UPR were very well received since the scientist who would interview me knew personally a few of my Physics professors as working researchers in the U.S. For lack of an appropriate baby sitter for Diana, the FRB job was a short-lived but an interesting position. With the arrival of Arlene and Sonya, the proper thing to do, at a time when there were absolutely no hopes to get child care, was to stay home and care for the family.
The arrival of our fourth child, Carlos, made me aware of the fact that, yes there was a way for me to go back to work as well as to take care of the family if I would switch careers. As I said earlier, I had zero credits in education. With a war going on and young people serving the country, the demand for high school teachers to fill the vacancies (soldiers going to war) was huge. I had the perfect preparation: math and physics so that was my new beginning as a teacher; still with no teaching credits at all! My mother moved in to watch my baby for his first year. The next baby sitter was not to Carlos's liking; I found out many years later, but I was lucky to finally find a competent and friendly Girl Scout leader to care and to "teach" him.
One thing led to another. I kept teaching high school math but I really liked to study; what can I tell you. While at BOCES ( a step above teaching ) I was paid for most of my graduate courses. I started in educational research and ended up in curriculum planning; having completed a Masters in Education at Forham U. The work at Boces was a federally-funded program with a 4-year limit so back to teaching h.s.math at the end of that program. At that time I had completed my second Masters in Psych. and the thesis on that subject at New York Univ. proved to be very interesting to me: Altzeimer Research Studies. From my contacts from BOCES, and to my surprise, I was invited to teach a graduate course in Teaching Methods in Math and Science at the Long Island University, U campus in Westchester; mind you, after my daily teaching. I am getting tired already thinking on how did that worked out but it was better than just teaching high schoolers.
There was another request from General Motors in Tarrytown. They were about to close their branch and were training their employees for job searching in other fields and I was to teach them math and Spanish. I agreed; don't know how, but it was a very interesting experience. I will never forget how not to get in the way of the workers as they rushed to their GE cars; their requirement, on their way home. My car was Not GE! It felt like " las
Corridas de toros en Pamplona" avoiding the quick exit of hundreths of men anxious to get to their cars and home.
By age requirements (55 yrs. for state teachers; I was 65) I could stop teaching in New York State and receive retirement from that state. So, why not move to another state to continue work and receive retirement? While researching on how to "Do the Great Move out of the State" I was hired and completed a research as Coodinator for a N.YS. state- mandated study on the effects of exercise on the elderly population; mostly with Altzheimer. This study was completed and reported ( near Buffalo! ) to the medical participants and nurses of the NYS. area before our move to Maryland.
Maryland was the obvious choice to live so, while checking for jobs in that area I came upon a Graduate teaching position; quite a coincidence, in the same topic I was teaching at Long I. Univ. I decided to take it to find out if Maryland would be the right choice? I had just bought my first Honda and started teaching in both states: half a week in Westchester and half in MD. at American Univ. where they had offered me the position. This was possible with a sleep-over at Arlene's & Peter's. Soon after I crashed my new car in a black-ice spot...
Having contracts in both colleges, I had to rely on Amtrak to complete the assignments until they fixed the body of the Honda?
During all these years you were in college with your own lives and studies; not easy financially for you or for me,but you went ahead with your careers and have been successful in your choices. You are the Greatest!
The time came to have some family fun and that is where we started having our beach vacations. It all began in Cape May; followed by Fenwick Island, Avalon, some place in Philadelphia ? and back to Cape May from then on with, now, six grandchildren. What a fortunate family we have been! True, I had a stroke and a hundred million ailments but here I am with the iPad trying to remember the " other side of me" and, maybe, put it together with Papa's side and his present health issues.
No, I' m not finished. Before I started as an adjunct in Math at AACC, 14 years ago, I was a staff researcher for the American Society of Internal Medicine and, the only reason I mention it is because I was within walking distance to George Washington Univ.. ; a chance to take more graduate courses in Psych. and complete, I thought, the PhD. After accumulating quite a number of credits, 16 more, I had the stroke and plans changed quickly. No more rides on the metro and no more research in my favorite field then, Psychology. Fortunately, I have enjoyed teaching math now at the College level.
Have I concluded my student/professional/mother life? I guess so but who knows what is to come next!
See photos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/40209008@N08/sets/72157672315736135/
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Article about Castulo Rodriguez Torres
ATLANTIDA - vol. 1
February, 1934, No.1
Translated by Julia Castillo, his granddaughter.
The “Prócer’s” [1] house is a small one. Near Munoz Rivera’s tomb, now a beautiful and very well-kept garden, is where we can find Castulo Rodriguez’s home. As seen from Barranquitas’s hills, it might look like a bird’s nest near Munoz’s tomb.And it is good to compare it in this manner. Because that small house is where we find a bird in its nest who carries in its heart those special attributes that belong only to the Holy Spirit.
It is a cold morning of January when we visit for the first time the “Maestro’s” home.
Is Don Castulo home? We ask.
His daughter, now his care giver and nurse, shows us to his saintly room, where Don Castulo spends his solitary life; life full of visions and memories.
Here we sense humility. His small home compares with the grandiose, impressive and admirable schoolhouse; pride of Barranquitas and which also is named after the “Maestro”: Castulo Rodriguez.
His home is small but it grows and grows as we concentrate and realize that we are in front of a true apostle.
There he is, sitting in his bed, wearing a long-sleeved flannel shirt which only shows his two hands, almost feminine, white, noble, impeccable, like two lilies.
The Maestro’s smile colors everything, transcends all.
We have referred to ourselves as “a Puertorrican teacher” and that's all he needs to hear to embrace us. And we sit near his bed.
Let's imagine a Don Quijote at peace, tranquilo, a sweet El Greco knight, a Jesus of Nazareth, with white hair and beard. And one is surprised to see a half damp-painting by Manser, as well as an antique “sable” from the Spanish army [2]. One goes from one surprise to the next; A kepis (cap), golden military medals,”galones”, a shelf with a pharmaceutical weight, very many “mysterious“ little boxes carefully lined up, medical books. There is order in everything. In that room with so many things one can sense a “sweet” peace.
But another surprise is to come. As Don Castulo talks to us, we seem to hear running water, fresh water, water from the mountains of Barranquitas.
The old Maestro’s voice is almost as from a baby, purely melodious. “I like to play the flute; if it is made out of wood, understand? I used to play it but it broke down and, since I don't go to any place
I was born in Barros, in 1857, the 18th of June. San, Marceliano’s day. At that time, Barros was a beautiful hamlet with only one road, in a valley, next to a river-in between two rivers. We moved when I was 2 years old. I studied in the town of Ciales with my father, who was a professor.
My father’s name was Ramon R. Arcilla, from Morovis. My mother’s, Julia Torres Diaz, from Barros. I was raised among teachers.
Nobody taught me how to read. I used to live in the school since, at that time, then, professors had to live at the school so they could be there to teach, if they were not too sick.
At that time schools were unisexual. Since I was studying at my mother’s school from 6:00 am until late in the afternoon, it was easy for me to learn. Schools would have large cardboard signs with keys at the top for the alphabet and spelling; followed by some reading.
People would object to the old methodology. No, but not at all. My father realized that I could read when he heard me reading words from a cardboard and, turning it around said: Read this, my son. He was so surprised!
From the town of Ciales, my father was assigned to teach in the town of Utuado. In the school of The Blessed Conception ( the Liceo) in charge of two fathers and two priests, I continued my studies.
There I studied - some seventy years ago--geography, first year of latin, elements of algebra, and advanced grammar. Then. I moved to San Juan to the- Civil Institute of Second Learning; at that time, 15 yrs. old. The Institute was located at San Jose street, near the corner of Luna st.
The students did not live at the school ( externos). I was living at Don Jose Francisco Diaz’s home, No. 8, Tanca st.
Don José Francisco’s wife was in charge of directing the house and she would charged us $23.00.
There were 4 of us as students: N. Machiavelo, M. Chabran, A. Diaz Bouquet and myself.
Don Jose Francisco was Inspector of the schools in the north district. We were cared for as family.
Young students’ life was innocent as far as entertainment. We would go to Puerta de Tierra or to the Abanico. This was sort of a labyrinth behind San Cristobal, sort of a plaza with narrow streets for military exercises. At times we would go to the Marina to watch the ships.
It was here, in this school where I completed my second level courses: algebra, languages: French and English, World Geography, mathematics.
In order to be prepared to teach, it was necessary to be examined by the Higher Body of Public Instruction. I received my bachelors degree in 1877. In May of that same year, I started to teach in the villa of Aguada; a school that selected me based on competitive examinations.
In Aguada I only taught for 3 months. Then I studied with professor Don Alcides San Antonio. Since then I have lived in Barranquitas, except for the years of 1903 to 1905, when I taught at the town of Aibonito.
I worked as a professor for 35 years and retired on 1921; when I was Acting Principal. Later on I was named as Local Chief of Health, where I worked until 1926, when I started to work in the Clinic.
All along and in every sense , I have served the people of this towns. I consider teaching as serving God, something sublime. And, thinking back about my life and all I have worked on, I consider being a professor as the best part of my life.
I have loved my profession and it was always a joy. It is not a profession that provides for financial comfort. Only a person with an apostolic view; one that truly loves his profession, will find on it true “ rivers” of happiness and joy.”
[Aside from the writer: I have transcribed the words of the Maestro. His musical tone, his clear and vibrant thinking, his peculiar sound of water from a river; that is impossible to replicate. And he proceeds after our insistence to continue.]
" I have never stopped teaching. I can't at all. When I don't have anybody to teach, I gather together children from the area and I teach them what I can.
Does my good memory surprise you? Ah my memory! That's a gift from heaven. It's the same as when I was 14 years old. It's prodigious. I would like to show you. I would like an Architect, for example, to come and ask me for the moldings used in any architectural order. You would see. I have not forgotten any material that I studied when I was young.” He proves it to me by. naming the complicated combinations of the different architectural orders; in a flash.
“My memory is so good that I feel as if information sinks into my mind as if it were a cinematographic film. “
A nice young man interrupts our dialogue. He is the medical assistant. Every day, at the same time of 9 am, the Maestro subjects himself stoically to an operation. His prostatic ailment does not let him empty his bladder. He has to patiently suffer through the procedure.
The Maestro, with a young soul, excuses himself about his ailment; as if it were his fault. We leave his home so that the medical assistant can perform the procedure and we go downtown. There we meet distinguished and refined people who inform us about the multiple talents of this professor; one of the most intelligent and humble persons who they had the privilege of ever having in all of Puerto Rico.
He measures any distance using trigonometry, reads in many languages, knows how to interpret medical issues, specially with children, is a writer and writes beautiful stories, plays many musical instruments, knows about pyrotechnics, draws and paints admirably, is a dramatic author, directs theater scenes and is a good actor, was a student of the painter- Oller….and is a devout and religious spirit…. and is a man with a sable hanging in his bedroom.
I have gone to the little house of the old Maestro.
Today’s Castulo Rodriguez is a much more interesting man, with his soul in his face, almost as if to leave, and it shows in his clear, beautiful and pure expression.
I reverently move to kiss his hand … and I kiss it.
But the old Maestro , the one with the hanging sable near his bed, strongly moves my hand to his saintly mouth and, He also kisses it!
I never saw such rare kindness and humility! And I kneel down in front of the Saint. Then I hug, the Man … and the Maestro!
Footnotes:
1. A prócer is a national hero, an eminence, a liberator. This was Munoz Rivera in Puerto Rico.
2. The sable was a gold fighting knife used in the war by the Spanish Army. Castulo (Ito for abuelito) received it as an award in the Spanish war?
Original Article in Spanish below
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