Who am I?

I am the putative father of more than 1,600 souls desirous of learning something.  I am a person who professes that if you want to learn something, you must experince it.  If you want to know why stars twinkle, pull out a lawn chair at night and look at them for hours; if you want to know why water is wet, play under the rain.

I am a believer.  I believe that if you want something, you can accomplish it, but you have to put your hands and your actions where your desires are.  If you just desire something, it will not just become a reality because you wish it hard.  I believe that "to have ruined one's self over poetry is an honor."

There is no challenge that as a team we cannot conquer.

I am the second of four brothers. Three were born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico, while the youngest of the "batch" was completely formed in the island. In this tiny Caribbean paradise, I learned to love literature written in English. On August 1992 I went to the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus with the dream of becoming a sage in literature. I completed a BA in English literature. My research was focused on the influence of life events in the works of Byron, Shelley and Keats. I graduated on June 1997, and started teaching a month later. After about a year teaching, I decided to complete a Master's degree in Education at the University of Phoenix. I made a research/investigation project on the impact of fine arts in the teaching of English. Definitely, arts influence our lives a lot!

I taught English in Puerto Rico for nine years before coming to Ocala.  I've been teaching in Ocala for the past six years.  This school year marks the begining of my 16th year in education. 

I am married to Mrs. Ginnette Rivera, Spanish teacher here at West Port, and we have a 10 year old son named Ricardo Josué, who, even though he is starting fifth grade, continually teaches me new things.

I have great "weakness" for films and strong coffee.  I am the sponsor of WPHS Film Club, and everyone shall soon discover why.  Sorry, but I don't run a coffee club!