I am Robert Torrez, but classmates, friends and family know me as Bobby Palacios for the fact that my mother enrolled with that name when I was in school. I have been happily married to my wife, Elizabeth, for fourteen years and we have two teenage children, Jacob and Imagin.

     I grew up in Firebaugh and moved to Madera in 1983 when I was eleven years old.

     My favorite grade in school was sixth grade for a couple of reasons. The first is because I had a cool and awesome teacher, Mr. Oscar Dragon at Millview. The second is because it was the year I began to learn who I was as a person to become who I am today.

     I had several jobs before becoming a teacher. I began working in the fields with my step-brothers when I was fifteen. Soon after, I got a job as a cashier at Bridge Store my sophomore year. After graduating in 1990, I moved to Fresno and worked several other jobs as a cashier at such places like Ventura Market, Pak n’ Save, and FoodMaxx. I also worked at fast food places such as Wendy’s and Jack in the Box.

     Initially, I wanted to become a history teacher since I have always found history fascinating. However, I became a teacher for the fact that I had three male teachers throughout my education that inspired me to become one. One of those teachers was Oscar Dragon. The other two were Mr. Sipe and Mr. Hinton both whom are history teachers. They were all wonderful and fun to have as teachers.

     I enjoy being with my wife and children when I am not teaching or when I am not doing work that relates to it. I am an avid family man, and it is something I look forward to each day.

     My hobbies are writing poetry. I consider my work contemporary for the fact that I write about what I see and/or feel about today’s world and society. In addition, I have written poems about all sorts of subjects.

     My favorite place to visit is Disneyland. It is the happiest place on earth in my opinion. I love It’s a Small World attraction. I enjoy the song in different languages and the sights are so awe-inspiring. In fact, my wife and I have to get on it at least two times.

     One place that I always have wanted to visit is Italy, particularly Rome. I have this unexplained passion for anything Italian from the language, the food and of course, its history. I think I may have been Italian in another life.

     If there is one thing I know my students over the years have remembered me for is the advice and tough love I gave them through the course of the school year. In so many ways, shapes, and forms I let it be known how much better they can be through good times and bad times. Therefore, I hope I continue to do just that until I can longer.