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Somewhere along the way I heard the expression that we stand on shoulders of giants. For some these giants are famous historical figures. For others, athletes, politicians etc. Being in education – for me those giants are educators that have helped me throughout my life. I think of those teachers that have a special place in my life like that angel in It’s a Wonderful Life. The Fairfax High School community lost a great teacher, coach, mentor and person this weekend.
I woke up yesterday to learn that my soccer coach and latin American history teacher had passed. His family posted on his Facebook:
“Mr. Donlucas's purpose in this life has come to an end. Fairfax lost a great teacher and God welcomed an excellent human being! On behalf of his family we thank colleagues, students, friends, and everyone who had him in their prayers.
His wishes were for all of you to remember him like the great teacher, uncle, son, brother and friend that he was and to cherish the best memories that you experienced with him. Upon his wishes, there will be no funeral services.”
To say he was simply my teacher would be a disservice to the role he played in my life. You could walk by Mr. DonLucas’ class on any given day to at least a dozen students who * wanted * to be in his classroom hanging out at lunch when they didn't have to. Not too many teachers commanded that sort of respect from latino students.
It’s about 2:47am on a Sunday and I couldn’t really sleep. I kept thinking about the years I spent playing soccer under Donlucas and the several classes I took from him. I dug up my old yearbook and sure enough he wrote in it. He famously told people “your past is not your potential”. Those were words that resonated with me as an 18 year old and words that still ring true as I approach 31. Donlucas was one of the first teachers in high school that ever believed in me. Some teachers believed because they saw promise in a student. Donlucas believed in you the moment you walked in the door; as you were. Therein was his power. Even students who some suspected may one day drop out or didn’t do so well in school gravitated towards him. Today I talked to cousins and my brother about him. We all have fond memories of Mr. Donlucas.
I wouldn’t be where I am without educators like Mr. Donlucas. No doubt. It was teachers like him that forced me to believe in myself to get good grades and go to college. For some that is something that is a foregone conclusion but it wasn’t something that was a sure thing for me growing up. Donlucas was a pretty radical figure at the time. He forced us to be proud of who we were as latinos through his latin American history classes and he worked hard to get us to be proud of ourselves. Before I looked at my yearbook one I remember sitting next to his desk once and he was telling me I should have respect for myself. I think I had said something stupid to someone in class and sure enough he wrote some in my yearbook about having “el nombre de Almendarez en alto” which again really resonated with me. He was all about having respect for yourself and taking pride in who you are.
It’s strange to cry over someone you last saw over 13 years ago. I am thankful that we had been emailing earlier this year when I heard he was sick and I was able to express my gratitude to him for all he did for me and countless other people who came after me at Fairfax. I think he started teaching at Fairfax in the early 90’s so I was probably in some of the first classes of students he had in 1995. I wouldn’t be the last as two of my cousins and my little brother would also have him as a teacher and he would also leave a great impression on them. As my younger brother said “I think I’ll go read Always Running now”. That cracked me up. I will forever link that book to him. Donlucas taught us that latinos could be writers, teachers and historians; that latinos had a voice and that latinos had a place in U.S. history. He taught me that I could hold on to my identity as a latino and be proud of that yet still pursue “success” (however I defined that). That wasn’t something I knew before I met Mr. Donlucas. I was also thankful for his guidance in talking to me about teaching at Fairfax if I ever wanted to do. It’s still something I think about and hope to one day do and follow in his giant footsteps.
I wish it weren’t true that Mr. Donlucas had passed but he leaves a legacy of caring, empowerment and love. He is respected by thousands of students who walked through his doors and one can only hope to be as loved as he was.
Gracias por todo, professor. Que en paz descanse.
Carlos Almendarez
Fairfax class of 1999
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