Marisa profile picture

Marisa

rgvladanza

About Me


If a child cannot learn in the way we teach… …we must teach in a way the child can learn " (this is NOT my personal quote...but as a teacher and a parent of a child with autism... I think it says it all.
"Rock Autism" on VH1 Classic PSA

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I am married (yes, happily) I have two kiddos that filled a void in my heart that I never knew I had. My daughter is my musician, my dreamer, my alter ego, she is my aesthetic experience. My son.....well, he is full of many expressive faces, he is very animated in his gestures and reactions, silly, goofy, he keeps me grounded, makes me laugh, makes me cry, and he makes me deal with the fact that he has autism. To her I say, "Be the BEST that you can be" ...for my son I ask God, "WHAT is the best that he can be?" Although my eyes are dry the tears have never really stopped. Current career? 6th grade ELA Teacher. Why is it awesome for me? Because I get to witness that beautiful "OHHHHHH" factor when the kids "get it".

My passion? Dance and writing. The overall creative process is what astounds me, takes my breath away, and it is a passion that only artists of various mediums and genres can truly understand. However, I must admit that I miss the limelight of an opening night performance after weeks of endless rehearsal, improvisation, and striving for that infinitive point of perfection. The curtain rises, the breath before the first beat, the aesthetic experience when you get lost in the moment and suddenly you are at that exhilarating sigh after the final beat…silence...applause. Ahhhh I can almost feel it now.
My resume is pretty diverse. Let's see, I've worked in Dallas, New York City, Las Vegas, Washington DC and the Rio Grande Valley. I've been a performer, choreographer, instructor, I've also done International Sales (LatinAmerican), Federal Grant Projects, I've been in Corporate Management, Small Business Management and currently I'm winding down my career as a teacher. My goal is to retire as a professor and continue my research in AUTISM and language acquisition.
The grant projects I worked with were for The Valley AIDS Council and for The McAllen Chamber of Commerce. One supported HIV/AIDS outreach and treatment along the US/Mexico border and the other introduced Performing Arts funds to the McAllen area. Both grants were very rewarding for me as both an advocate and project coordinator.

My Interests

April is Autism Awareness Month
Autism Awarenes
..

Writing (poems and short stories), Autism, Language Acquisition, Art, Photography....I LOVE anything having to do with space, lighting, color and imagery...anything that evokes sensory details to flourish in my imaginations' eye. Therefore, I have GREAT respect for artists of all types including set designers and lighting specialists. I also value and seek GENUINE people, true humanity, diversity, the acceptance of humility...it keeps you true, experiencing aesthetics, and losing myself with great music...But once that music gets going then so do I. So as far as dance goes my passion is modern,
ballet (got my first ballet shoes at the age of 2), and flamenco. Did I say I LOVE to dance?....no YOU really don't get it...I LOVE to dance! DANCE DANCE DANCE!

I'd like to meet:

The ENTIRE creative team involved with Cirque Du Soleil!

Every aspect of their shows is a true example of stretching and improvising the creative process...lighting, set design, costumes, music and the performers! There are NO words to describe them. What a team! If you have a creative drop of blood in your body be prepared to be PULLED into a beautiful world the minute you walk into their theaters...you will not want to leave.

Another team I would love to meet are those involved with Broadway ….I think THAT would be a love/hate relationship but I just LOVE Broadway and I have been lucky enough to see many shows. However, I would love to sit in on the rehearsals and the creative processes with the teams involved and watch and listen as everyone fights to get their way.

After all, the investors LUST for the financial limelight and the creators/artists beg for creative control.

Ok, let's see...I would also love to meet or have met...Alvin Ailey, Twyla Tharp, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and George Balanchine. I would like to meet and join Angelina Jolie and/or Bono as they escape the limelight and go on one of their humanitarian excursions...and HOPE that I am not disappointed with their "genuine" efforts. Others include, Maya Angelou and James Earl Jones...their voices absolutely transcend words beyond paper and right into the landscape of one's own imagination. Let us see...whom else? How about Ron Howard WHILE he is filming and directing a movie? I think that would be an awesome experience. Finally yet importantly, I truly wish I could have met Pope John Paul...the man had the most beautiful and spiritual passion. Ok…one more, I would like to have met ME when I was 15-24 and slap myself every time I said, did, or believed something STUPID! Then again, I would not have been who I am today. Be true to yourself…it will save you a lot of heartache.

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The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you.
Rita Mae Brown

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
Jean Houston

Cherish all your happy moments: they make a fine cushion for old age.
Christopher Morley (1890 - 1957)

Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.
Albert Schweitzer (1875 - 1965)

Music:


Ok...this is tough...I guess the easy way out is to say EVERYTHING! I really do love it all except for gangster rap. It just really depends who is sitting with me and what the ambiance is like.
However, I will ALWAYS love The Beatles, The Eagles, Sting, Paul Simon, Keith Urban, James Taylor, Boston, Heart, Pat Benatar, Melissa Ethridge, Bonnie Rait, Elton John, Sir Paul Mcartney, The Doors, Blue Oyster Cult, The Cure, Pink Floyd and Led Zep...KC and The Sunshine Band, ALL Flamenco, ALL Huapangos, Juan Gabriel, Alejandro Fernandez, Olga Tanon, Marco Antonio Solis, Gypsy Kings, Enya, Kitaro, George Winston, Peter Gabriel, Enigma, Willie and Lobo, Aerosmith, U2, Guns N Roses, Nickelback, Elvis, Patsy Cline, Wynnona Judd, Vivaldi, Broadway hits, Old Cinematic Musicals, Johnny Cash, Yanni, I LOVE many styles of world music with it's eclectic blend of folklore...and on...any and all charismatic choirs (my daughter is a soprano)....and on....classical music and orchestras (my daughter plays the viola)

....and on.....awesome guitar licks (riffs) like those found in Black Dog (my daughter is a guitarist)...and on....see what I mean!?!?

For all fans of guitar, FLAMENCO, Paco De Lucia and Camaron De La Isla...please watch the following videos...it is a MUST see...enjoy. I'm truly proud and honored to have Paco and Camaron as part of my circle of MySpace friends. Gracias Maestros...
Entre dos aguas

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Camar de la isla

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Movies:

I used to be a movie freak!! But lately I can't even find the desire to sit down and watch a movie.....I'd rather get lost in something else.

Television:

Again, time is of the essence but if you manage to catch me on the sofa you better snatch the remote from me cause I will change the channels.

Heroes:

My husband.....only he can keep me grounded AND take me to the moon with one goofy smile.





My Blog

Autism Links

Links to a variety of AUTISM related websites. Including organizations, graphics, articles, and news....
Posted by Marisa on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 08:42:00 PST

Understanding Autism

When you have a child with a disability, it may seem that you've been dropped in the middle of a whirlwind of information and buzzwords. You'll hear things such as inclusion, behavior modification, fu...
Posted by Marisa on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:16:00 PST

Teach The Teacher.....

Ok now is your chance...vent! yell! blab! I want to know how you feel about school. About the classroom. What you like and dislike. Tell me what you want and don't want. Keep profanity to yourself or ...
Posted by Marisa on Sun, 25 Mar 2007 04:08:00 PST

John O'Neil's NYT piece about his son James (autism)

.. ..>     December 29, 2004, Wednesday Late Edition - Final Section B Page 8 Column 1 Desk: Metropolitan Desk - Education Page Length: 3184 words Slow-Motion Miracle: One Boy's Journey Ou...
Posted by Marisa on Sat, 24 Mar 2007 01:25:00 PST

Autism

Dealing With Autism. My 8 year old son has autism. He is in the regular ed. classroom with some resource time outside of the class as well as a paraprofessional who helps keep him on task. It has bee...
Posted by Marisa on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 04:29:00 PST