Presbyterian Pan American School (Pan Am) for us (the alumni and alumna) is a place called “home”. Most of us spent four years of our valuable teenage period there. Today, we gathered in this group, because we care about this community. It was (or is currently) a place that we used to live in. It is a part of our identity. In some way, it has shaped all of us who we are today. 

Just like what the mission of school had described in Academic Handbook “share with our neighbors of the Americas and the world the basic truths of freedom and democracy.” The meaning of “democracy” is to listen to different opinions and always revising the system based on complaints and dissatisfactions. The word “democracy” is not a practice of “dictatorship” or “solemn obedience of listening or exit”. Besides, we are a “Christian” school. The very first word of our school is “Presbyterian”. The meaning of “Christianity” is about loving each other. What is unique about being a Christian is caring about others, listening to each others’ difficulties, and helping them in the way we possibly can. 

Unfortunately, it is my understanding that our beloved school doesn’t have enough funds. However, this community provides the unique beauty and values that the other schools might not have: diversity, love, traditions, etc. 

After the new leadership team had joined our big family, many of our teachers and faculties had been “fired”, “forced to retire”, “resigned”. The list began with Ms. Carmen L. Gonzales (Business office clerk)  who worked in Pan Am for 30+ years to the recent “resignation” of Mrs. Mireles (School nurse), who worked in Pan Am for 10+ years. And the list goes on: Mrs. Perez (Principal), Coach Cantu (Athletic Director), Mr. Verderber (English teacher), Ms. Selina Tijerina (Class sponsor), Mrs. Marlene (Food Director), Mrs. Ortega (Business office clerk), Melissa Windham (Public Relations Officer), Mr. Hopper (Chief Financial Officer), Mrs. Alegria (College Counselor), Mr. Rick Saenz (Student Life Director), Ms. Niki (4-H sponsor), Mrs. Perkins (Reading II teacher), and Mr. Perkins (US History teacher). Nearly all of them worked for 10+ years in our school. You can’t argue with me that they don’t like their job or community. For them, Pan Am was their home. They have trained hundreds of students, loved them, and cared about them. What they had offered to the student body was not just the knowledge from the textbook. They truly involved their heart and soul in teaching their students. I don’t think we are going to say anything other than “thank you” to the teachers. Imagine all those people who had been forced to leave school. Especially, the teachers who forced to leave during the middle of the school year. I doubt that the “people who have the power” truly understood the needs of students. If they did, they wouldn’t have fired the college counselor and Principal in the middle of the school year. Perhaps, they just want to “clear out” the “voices of opposition” and replace them with their friends. That will be easier to manage the school. 

According to what I heard from a student, Senior student Miki Mireles had been forced to read her Sermon in front of everyone. She mentions that “staffs have been working in a toxic environment”. As a matter of fact, she gets into trouble afterward. Her mother Mrs. Mireles had only been noticed to attend her own daughter’s graduation ceremony to share the joy of happiness just barely 30 minutes before because she would have been “trespassing” the school endangering the lives of students and staffs. She is just a mother who was eager to witness her daughter’s success. There wasn't virtual graduation for her, either. I personally think the reason doesn’t stand at all. 

Mr. Juan Placencia being the “Chief Education Officer”,  I truly don’t think he is qualified for that position. It is not because of his English accent. One of the reasons that I stand by my opinion is that he was “favoring” some of his students. Besides, a “Chief Education Officer” would not be passing the “rumors and lies” about his innocent colleagues. In addition, Mr. Juan Placencia didn’t speak English in many of his classes during his working hours. Based on my understanding, speaking English to students is one of the basic requirements of staff on campus. I remember my very first week in Pan Am: we had an English code that we have to memorize “Since I attend PPAS for the main purpose of acquiring an American education. It would be beneficial to incorporate English into my daily routine, to advance my conversation as well as academic English. By doing so, I’m not negating my culture or heritage. Rather I am enabling myself to have more opportunities otherwise.” Therefore, a Ph.D. degree or Doctoral training doesn’t make him more qualified for the position. I believe in having power making better decisions and leading the community for the good.  Just like Former First Lady Michelle Obama once said at the Democratic National Convention last year “being president doesn't change who you are, it reveals who you are”. I believe she was not only referring to the “president” but everyone who holds power in a higher position. Again, this post is just my personal opinion.

In the end, I want to close this message by using two quotes. The first one is from Ephesians 6:10–18 that states “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”  The second one is from Former First Lady Michelle Obama “When they go low, we go high”. 

We must speak up and sent the number of emails that the school board can't ignore.

Please send an email to David Salyer: dpsalyer@mapalaw.com

May the peace with you all. Much love and God bless.