Rudy Calderón was born in the metropolis of Los Angeles, California, in 1974. He is a first-generation Mexican American whose family came to the United States to make a better life...показать большеRudy Calderón was born in the metropolis of Los Angeles, California, in 1974. He is a first-generation Mexican American whose family came to the United States to make a better life. They worked the fields of California by picking strawberries, lettuce, squash, and tomatoes. Calderón has seven other brothers and sisters and a loving mother, Ana Munguía.
For his undergraduate degree, Calderón was graduated from California State University–Bakersfield with honors (cum laude) majoring in history and taking a minor in political science in 2001. He is grateful to the CSU Bakersfield history, philosophy, religious studies, and political science departments for giving him rigorous, challenging, and many out-of-comfort-zone experiences. As a university student, Calderón had his worldview expanded exponentially.
As a graduate of El Camino Junior High School and Santa María High School, Calderón returned after his university training to work in these schools for a few years. He was voted by his colleagues as the "Site Teacher of the Year" for the 2007–2008 academic school year while teaching at El Camino Junior High.
As a tutor at SMHS, he learned invaluable teaching skills as he helped students develop their critical thinking and communication skills to better understand subjects like history, government, economics, Spanish, and English literature.
As a poet, Calderón has been privileged, in an excessive manner, to publish sixteen books of verse. In 2004, he was a featured reader at the eighth Annual Latino Book and Family Festival, an event hosted by actor and social activist Edward James Olmos. He’s been invited to and has read his work in renowned poetry venues like the Nuyorican Poets Café and the Bowery Poetry Club in New York City. As a California native, Calderón has been invited to and has read in various cities throughout the state. For several years, he has been a featured reader at the global event known as the 100k Poets for Change.
Being a teacher and poet has been an enriching experience for Calderón. Finding the opportunity to build his teaching roots in the progressive Lucia Mar Unified School District, Calderón taught from 2010–2015 at Paulding Middle School. He was awarded the District Teacher of the Year for the 2013–2014 school year. Currently, Calderón teaches AVID, English-language development, and World History at Arroyo Grande High School. For more information please visit www.uni-vurs.com.показать меньше