Ramonda, Robert J. (1925-2016)
Date Updated
8-8-2019
Department
Elementary Education
Academic Rank
Professor
Year Retired from SJSU
1993
Educational Background
University of California, Berkeley, Education, 1960 Ed.D.
San Francisco State University, Elementary School Administration and Supervision, 1956 MA
San Francisco State University, Elementary School Teaching Credential, 1951
San Francisco State University, English and Psychology, 1950 BA
Teaching Experience
San Jose State University, 1959-1993
San Francisco Unified School District, 1951-1959
USOE Bilingual Education Grants, Palau (Summers), 1980-1984
USOE Bilingual Education Grants, Saipan (Summers), 1982-1989
USOE Bilingual Education Grants, Ponape (Summers), 1987-1988
University of Guam (Summer), 1985-1985
College of the Marianas (Summer), 1989-1989
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (Summer), 1989-1989
Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand (Summer),1989-1989
University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau (Summers), 1995-1996
Administrative and Professional Experience
Director, Elementary Intern Teaching Program, San Jose State University
Coordinator, M.A. Program with a focus on reading, San Jose State University
Coordinator, Reading Specialist Credential Program, San Jose State University
Selected Publications
The Disadvantaged Child, with Sidney Tiedt, et al.
Reading Games and Devices, with John E. Morlan.
Classroom Learning Centers, with John E. Morlan, et al.
Read, Write, React, with Lonna H. Smith (pub. Sept. 1996).
Files
Personal Commentary
Besides its other rewards, teaching has allowed me to travel and teach in many different locales and settings. I have had the opportunity to live in and study other cultures and societies and be involved in the daily lives of the people‑‑rewarding and invaluable experiences!
Date Completed: 9/96
There I was, standing by the mailbox, letter in hand, debating with myself, “Should I or shouldn’t I?” Suddenly, a voice sounded from my automobile parked near the curb, “Drop it in the box or not. It’s getting late, and it’s time to go home! ”It was my sister-in-law who was accompanying my wife and me. Startled, I let the letter slip from my grasp, and the deed was done. What was this letter? Why was I vacillating over whether or not to mail it? Did I really want to send it to San Jose State College accepting a position as an assistant professor? I wasn’t sure I wanted the job. It would mean moving from my San Francisco home to a town fifty miles away in what we considered to be “out in the country” and leaving a teaching job that provided security and more money than I would receive at San Jose State.
As the letter slipped from my fingers, a multitude of concerns crossed my mind. Teaching adult students rather than children, building new professional relationships and the unknown expectations of this new job weighed heavily. But my arm wasn’t long enough to reach in and retrieve the letter, so I would just have to make the best of it. And so I did.
The result was a challenging, exciting thirty-three year career at SJS where teaching was valued and colleagues were stimulating and supportive. Through the auspices of the University, I was able to live and teach in Saipan, Pohnpei, Palau and Thailand. Collaborating with colleagues on research projects and publications was appealing, and I still count many of them among my close friends. Looking back, I found that dropping that letter (with help from my sister-in-law) was the best non-decision I ever made.
Date Updated: March 1, 2010
Adapted from: Biographies of Retired Faculty San Jose State University 1997: A Project of the Emeritus Faculty Association of San Jose State University. San Jose, CA: The University, 1997.