Martina R. Gallegos
Bio
Ms. Gallegos came from Mexico as a teen; she went to university, and got her teaching credential.She graduated with her M.A. June 2015 after a severe stroke. Works have appeared in Silver Birch Press, Lummox, https://poetry309.wordpress.com
Stories (23/0)
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part IX
Because I really had no 'resources,' I went back to my husband's apartment but started looking for a place to rent close to work. It took me about a month, so I lived a month of almost complete silence and took my daughter out in her stroller so we could spend time together away from our hell; it was interesting that his side of the family never came around during this time, and not even before. I have a feeling my husband still hadn't told his family what was going on; it would've been too humiliating for him.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part VIII
It had been almost thirty days since my challenging student arrived, and she hadn't stopped cursing, crying, kicking, or ranting; the rest of the students were visibly scared, but nobody saw the damage this student was causing, and I'd already talked to half the world about it in hopes of getting some help; I was dreaming an impossible dream, er, nightmare that was very real and potentially dangerous.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part VI
I was surprisingly happy that all three districts were offering me a job, and that I could actually choose who to work for. This reminded me when mom asked me if I wanted to go to school or go to work when she and I re-united in the United States, and I chose school even though I had no idea what I'd face. It was the same thing this time; I was going into this teaching world blindfolded and with earplugs in, but both disappeared in a split second. My first interview with the person who'd 'hire me' was like 'starting off on the wrong foot;' I had to wait in the lobby for over an hour because some head custodian had passed away unexpectedly. Then, when somebody finally called me in, the person whom I was supposed to speak to, was talking recipes on the phone, and she totally ignored me for at least twenty minutes; I started feeling very weird and uncomfortable but still waited patiently.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part V
I knew I'd get in touch with my former high school teacher, and I was anxiously looking forward to it. It was always great talking to her because she was always positive and encouraging; she had more faith in me than I did, and she always asked to keep in touch. I don't even remember spending time with my siblings, especially since they lived with different relatives, and now different cities as well.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part IV
When I finally got my letter of admission to the only university I'd applied to, I was just happy I'd been accepted and almost decided not to go. However, the teacher I was working with as an assistant told me I had to go. I told her I'd already missed the deadline and would have to pay a late fee; she told me to pay the late fee and get out of her classroom; if she hadn't said that, I wouldn't have budged. I turned in my resignation to the district and started making packing plans.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part III
My mother's death numbed me for weeks or months, and I literally lost all sense of time. I kept going to school only to not be home where mom's life had ended, and I wasn't sure I could live there much longer, but I knew I had to stay in school.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part II
High school was much easier than junior high in the sense that I was now at least beginning to speak my new language, and I was no longer afraid to speak broken or incorrect English. For me, the fact that I was speaking it gave me more confidence, and English turned out to be my strongest subject. The sciences were my weakest, but I especially hated math because it didn't make any sense to me no matter who or how anybody explained it to me. However, even I was surprised when I took what I think was my first ever Algebra course: binomials and polynomials, and I was acing every test and quiz. I recall students would say/ask, I wonder how she gets 100%? She doesn't even speak English. I kind of just smiled but never said anything. I did realize I didn't need to speak but simply look at and understand symbols. The teacher still praised me in front of the class. This would be the last time I'd see these grades in math again.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
The Price of Education and Teaching: Part I
When I was growing up, I never even imagined finishing elementary school; this was especially true due to our family's severe poverty, so I was lucky I survived adolescence and graduated from elementary school but by barely making the grades; I'd no idea what would happen next, but that's when my mother told me she was going to el norte, and she'd take me with her if I behaved. It was hard to believe she'd chosen me out of nine children. She then told me she didn't want to leave me behind because I'd get in trouble; so I was determined to behave and not talk back to her so she wouldn't change her mind; that was one of the most difficult things for me to do.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
Fighting to Stay Alive
After barely surviving a hemorrhagic stroke, I knew I'd have to give everything left in me if I wanted a second chance at life. I began rehabilitation therapy as soon as I came out of the coma and chose the six weeks across the street instead of 'six months recovering at home.' It's obvious now my brain was still injured and out of whack from the severe swelling and bleeding, but I know I made the right decision.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Journal
After a Stroke/Brain Injury
Every stroke/brain injury affects survivors differently; some survivors may exhibit aggressive behavior and somewhat of 'split personality.' Others may experience severe sensory/auditory challenges as well as sensitivity to noise and lights. Another post-stroke/brain injury challenge is eating; survivors are highly prone to choking on solids and liquids, therefore, they need to be supervised carefully while eating their meals. Many experience a loss of taste buds. Survivors need to establish a routine using calendars, to-do lists, and other means that'll help them organize their daily life. It's important to make sure things have labels and remain in the same place to make it easier for survivors to access; change of location can cause survivors unnecessary anger, rage, or frustration, and rage is another very real challenge for stroke/brain injury survivors, so they need to find a safe and harmless outlet. It's important to offer survivors different kinds of activities to do according to their comfortable abilities and safety; don't stress them out or they may become aggressively violent. Not every survivor will face these challenges, but caretakers need to be ready to diffuse the situation without putting themselves or a survivor in danger.
By Martina R. Gallegos7 years ago in Longevity