Mr. Domecq's English 6

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About The Teacher Label:


About The Teacher
Mr Domecq was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended The Holy Cross School (1972) and the University of New Orleans (1976) where he graduated with a BA in Secondary Education and Library Science (Media Specialist). While still at UNO, Mr Domecq had an internship with the New Orleans Jazz of the NBA where he produced an in-house television program which featured New Orleans Public School students playing the role of interviewers of various NBA stars such as Gail Goodrich, "Truck" Robinson, and the late "Pistol" Pete Maravich. He was hired by New Orleans Public Schools August of 1976 and was assigned to Martin Behrman Middle School where from 1976 to 1979 he taught 7th grade Language Arts, then from 1979 to 1986 he served as the school's librarian. During this time Mr Domecq set up the first personal computer lab in a New Orleans middle school, he also was in charge of designing the school's new media center during extensive renovations to Behrman Middle School, and he also worked closely with an educational reform called the Secondary Curriculum Improvement Program. Mr Domecq was also an assistant basketball coach, assistant football coach, head basketball coach at Behrman, and an assistant baseball coach at Mcdonogh 35 high school. When Behrman was made an elementary school in 1986, Mr. Domecq transferred to O. Perry Walker High School where over the years he taught all four English classes and was assistant varsity baseball coach and head junior varsity baseball coach. Mr. Domecq was also very active in his community. He has served in one capacity or another on the board of directors of the Touchdown Club of New Orleans, and the Fan Advisory Board and Community Relations Board of the New Orleans Saints. Mr Domecq eventually was elected President of the Touchdown Club of New Orleans and later served as chairman of the board. Then on August 29, 2005 everything changed... Hurricane Katrina caused massive damage to the city of New Orleans. Mr Domecq's home in suburban Arabi had 18 inches of water...on the second floor! In his area of town, the levee didn't break but a massive storm surge, that some have suggested was as high as 37 feet, topped the levee destroying everything in it's path. Mr. Domecq now lives in NW Houston (153 ABOVE sea-level!!!)where he has built a house and is trying to make it a "home." He was hired by HISD in February of 2006 and has been at Revere Middle ever since. He is taking on coaching again this year and will coach the Special Teams for the football team. Outside of school, he is also working to establish a charitable foundation patterned after those he worked with in New Orleans.

Mission Label:


Mission
I don’t just teach a subject…I teach people, therefore, my mission is to teach the “whole student.” I don’t list a long list of “thou shalt not’s” because I KNOW you have done a good job with the most precious possession you have, your children. I respect that. "Life is NOT fair." (Never give up!) This does not mean that you should stop trying to make life “fair.” I just don’t want you to be hurt when you confront what you consider to be injustice. It is also good to remember that “equal” in not always fair – don’t confuse the two. This rule is also a reminder that this classroom is not a democracy – hopefully it is a benevolent dictatorship. The teacher has the last word – period! "Don’t do anything that will aggravate the person who writes your report card." (Respecting yourself and others.) This is not a threat – just a good common sense rule! I believe that you know how to act in a classroom and you know what both your parents and I expect of you. When you get a job, substitute the word “paycheck” for report card. You may get paid for doing a job but you keep that job by how well you do it. Many people are unemployed because they have never learned this rule. If you still don’t understand this rule, ask your parents. I bet they can explain it to you! This is all my discipline rules rolled into one. No others are needed. This rule is based on common respect. I believe you know the difference between right and wrong. Do what you know is right. If you are in doubt or believe you could be in conflict with what I believe is right – ask me! Then do it my way. No problem. Rules are made to be followed – NOT broken. "If you can’t (or won’t) think, you can’t pass this class." (Higher order thinking skills.) This will not be a class in which you can only memorize facts and make a good grade. I believe that my main function is to teach you to think logically – to be sure of your reasoning ability and to be able to express your thoughts in an appropriate manner, logically, in any situation. I will do everything in my ability to that end. I believe in YOU! "YOU are responsible for YOUR education." (Self-reliance) You may have reasons but there are no excuses. You are now reaching an age when you want to have certain freedoms; you must take responsibility for your own actions to prove you deserve and to enjoy those freedoms. If you are absent it is up to you to get your assignments – they will be due the same day you return. I strongly suggest that you find someone in your class that you can call when you are absent. All assignments are due on their due date, in your period, when your name is called – no exceptions! I do not give grades! I only evaluate the work you give me. You grade yourself. Do not seek to blame others – remember whenever you point a finger there are three fingers pointing back at you. In my classroom I only have one rule listed on the wall, it reads, "Pretend that the person sitting across from/next to you ia your mom or dad! Do the right thing!" I respect the job you are doing raising your children. I know how you want them to behave in school and will do my best to uphold your standards.