Steven Velásquez - Granting "Sirenity"

by Amy Eisenhauer, EMT May 20, 2013 I am blessed to have such amazing friends.   One or two of them I have known most of my life and we have grown and experienced things together as brothers and sisters would.   But most of my friendships have been forged in the bonds of fraternity.   I suspect you are thinking, “Fraternity? You are a female, what would you know about brotherhood?”    Delta Tau Chi- "Animal House" 1978 Typically the word fraternity brings to mind college parties and secret rites or heroic soldiers returning from battle.   Both of those images are accurate when speaking of the Fraternity of EMS.   We can be silly and rambunctious when at rest, but when called to action we are professionals ready to mitigate your worst day. All my close friendships have been kindled via the field of EMS.   There is something about spending 12 hours in a truck with someone that forges a bond.   You learn how they take their coffee, what ...

Are You "Learning Enabled?" by Steven P. Velasquez May 6, 2013 I was doing some Spring Cleaning today, but not of the physical variety. I was mulling through folders and folders of previously important email, messages etc... when I happened upon one that is a keeper for sure. The words within it were touching, though not authored by the sender. The fact the sender found me worthy of such words is what touched me so deeply and leaves me glad I didn't hit delete. The person who sent it was a student of mine. She too is an educator, in the public school system if memory serves me correct. Often when I teach my classes, I share with the students a part of my life that is a little embarrassing, has caused me much grief (probably more for my parents) but I share it with my students willingly to help alay their fears. You see, they sometimes appear eager and are so quick to come tell me their problem, their issue, their excuse for their anticipated underperformance. ...