I am Lynda Christine Rodriguez. I am a teacher. I have a B.A. in Theater. I also have a M.A. in Performing Arts, Drama-with an emphasis in Theatrical Production. I have a M.Ed in Educational Research and Collaboration. I am a Texas Commission on the Arts recognized Arts Educator. I am also a third generation Mexican American. My grandmother was born in a boxcar, and one of my grandfathers chose to stay in Fort Worth rather than follow the cattle drive as a migrant laborer. This act changed the futures of all of his grandchildren.  My family truly values education. One of my earliest memories is going to the library with my parents who were in college when I was a toddler.  I am a stroke survivor. 

I am a regular person with no political connections. 

A large part of my education was in Catholic Schools. Every day I saw the example of parents who put their child’s education and future first. I briefly attended a public school and it was, even then in the late 1970’s, a harsh reality. That school did not have a close sense of community and it was the first time that I realized that I could be judged solely on ethnicity. When we enrolled, my mother was asked if we were in the state legally. 

After I graduated from high school, I attended a small liberal arts college. I had the good fortune to attend on a full scholarship.  I was a theater major but did have interest in teaching. Upon graduating, I started teaching as part of a local theater’s outreach program. This shifted my career path considerably. 

While teaching I began a M.A. program in theater. Thirty hours in a thirty-two hour degree plan, I realized that my Graduate Committee didn’t see teaching as an art, so I found another program and withdrew. I started an M.Ed in Educational collaboration and research.  Upon completing this program, I realized that my true passion was teaching. 

Personal issues resulted in my relocating out of state for a few years. During this time, I had a hemorrhagic stroke. This took about 11 months out of my life while I went through various therapies. When I did my exit neuropsych exam, I was told that due to the brain damage and subsequent processing disorder, I would be unable to pass a teacher certification test. I am now certified to teach five subjects. 

Life has taught me more than I ever thought I could absorb. I now know what it is like to not understand the written or spoken word, even if it is a topic I have read before.  Relearning to walk and talk again, while humbling, was a valuable experience.

My teaching career covers teaching in public schools, teaching in an affluent private school, teaching in a public charter school and teaching in a small, underfunded Catholic school.  

I am currently a full-time classroom teacher. I teach theater. I teach three sections of asynchronous virtual theater. I teach six sections (two different preps ) of in person face to face theater.  I fully understand the stress and strain and just flat out dehumanization that public school teachers face. 

If I am appointed to this position, I will advocate for teachers and students who are weary of policies created by people who have never taught and who have fallen out of touch with the struggles facing students and teachers every day.

I know it is a long shot. Please help me get the attention of the Biden-Harris transition team.