Omar R. Santiago
About Me
My name is Omar R. Santiago. I was born in Puerto Rico and at the age of 5, I moved to the United States with my family in search of a better opportunity for our future. Fast-forward 22 years and I am now currently a High School Spanish teacher and a High School Baseball Coach. After earning my Degree from Bowling Green State University, I knew that I wanted to teach the language that I grew up with, Spanish.
I am proud to say that 4 years into my career, I enjoy what I do and most importantly, being a role model to students.
I appreciate education and helping students every day. I am looking forward to the many places education will take me. I may want to become an Athletic Director in the future. I also have an interest in becoming a Spanish translator. Who knows what's in store for me but I am definitely excited about my future.
My Vision: Listen to all the silenced voices in order to create and establish a caring community where students and adults make contributions and are valued as individuals.
My Mission: To prepare all students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will allow those students to be productive, creative and responsible in their life's endeavors.
Some Examples of Inquiry-Based Projects I have completed during my time at Kent State University
Social Justice Stance: Bullying in schools is detrimental to the emotional welfare of children, especially those who are not members of the dominant culture (i.e., White, Middle Class)
Metaphor: Bullying is second-hand smoke. Even though smoking is harmful and causes cancer and other serious diseases, especially in children, people still choose to poison themselves and others.
My goal and hope for this song is to move people and share with you what I lived and how often bullying occurs today and its impact on children.
United We Stand
Chorus
Why are people always making fun of me?
I wish they would stop, I’m hurting, can’t they see
Calling me names like I’m an enemy
Now I’m thinking there is something wrong with me
Verse 1
Tears falling, peers calling, my ears often
Similar sounds in the deep grounds of my fears coffin
Maybe I’m too good or maybe I’m not good at all then
But I’ve always been told to go home or go all in
Feel like I’m falling apart,
At least I’m free when I sleep
Grew up a lion at heart
But these feet move like a sheep
They use their voices
To control me when I’m voiceless
Bad decisions and bad choices
Thing you’re perfect
Feeling worthless
Why do people act like they don’t see?
The bullying happening because it’s not just on me
Please, others hurting and nobody will speak
They don’t say a single thing because they feel weak
Chorus
Verse 2
Always waiting for the end of the day
Always afraid of what they will say
Should I wear this, should I wear that?
Praying for no mean comments today
It really hurts, why can’t they see
All the damage they doing to me
I feel alone, nobody cares
Is it all them, or is it all me
I walk the halls, only looking down
I feel bad alone and when they’re not around
I barely speak, never make a sound
Got my eyes teared up, I’m about to drown
Nah, this can’t be the way that I be living
See my life passing by me with a million things I’m missing
I’ve decided today, that this has got to stop
I’ll stand up for myself; I’ll be my own rock
I know I’m not alone, I know that I sure can
Because divided we fall, UNITED WE STAND
