Javier Gomez
OXNARD — The “Javier Gomez Book Signing: I Was Diagnoosis Retarded,” will be presented at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16 at the Oxnard Public Library, 251 So. A St., Oxnard.
His autobiographical book relates how he was branded by the Los Angeles Unified School District as retarded because he couldn’t speak English, yet he overcame the challenges he faced and eventually became an award-winning educator, library officials reported in a media release. When he saw the same diagnosis given to one of his own students, he decided to write about his personal experiences to illustrate the dangers and pitfalls within the educational systems that can sometimes play a part in the failure of their students.
Gomez strives to encourage young people to take pride in themselves and to never give up. Following the presentation, Gomez will be happy to sign his book, which will be available for sale in the Friends of the Library Gift Shop. Gomez is the founder and director of the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center, which offers classes in folklorico dancing and training in performing mariachi music. He offers these and other performing arts workshops free of charge to children since many of the students are children of migrant farm workers. His mission is to pass on to young people his passion for the arts and his love of Mexican culture.
He is a recipient of El Concilio’s Latino Leadership Award, and in 2007 he was inducted into the Ventura County Educators’ Hall of Fame. The event is free. Call 805-385-7532 or click here for more information.