Chris Okusako:
CLASS OF 1967
Redlands High SchoolClass of 1967
Redlands, CA
Robert Willett Elementary SchoolClass of 2007
Davis, CA
West Davis Intermediate SchoolClass of 2007
Davis, CA
Brooklyn Elementary SchoolClass of 1967
Brooklyn, MI
Brooklyn High SchoolClass of 1967
Brooklyn, MI
Chris's Story
Life
I have had a nice and fun life. I am married (just once), have a 28 year old daughter that is a teacher and she was married July 2009. If you would like to see the wedding and honeymoon pictures and movies from Hawaii, then send me an email and I will give you the Shutterfly internet address to see the pictures and short videos. I have to do it this way, because Classmates wouldn't allow me to post the web address. Also, if you want, I can send you a PDF of my 2009 "What My Year Was Like." I also have a 25 year old daughter just graduated from UC Santa Barbara who works at the town newspaper. I have 2 wonderful dogs and 6 turtles. I ride a Harley Dynabob, go to the opera, still enjoy shooting, have a Macpro with great games (Unreal Tournament) on it, a nice home, and a job I loved (taught 4th grade). Teaching was a lot of work, but the kids gave back more than I put in. I can't think of a more rewarding job. That said, after 33 years, I am now retired since June 2006. When I think back to Redlands High Class of 67, I think, "What a bunch of wonderful people all in the same place at the same time!" And I appreciate them more as the years pass by. I also think of my old home town in Brooklyn, Michigan, that I moved away from after the third grade. What a great place that was! If you're from Brooklyn and reading this, I still remember a lot of you even though I was only eight when we moved away. For those Brooklyn Elementary kids who lost their 1955 and 1956 classroom pictures, I will post them with my photos.
College
UC Davis was HARD!!! I was lucky to graduate with a 2.7, and that was only after wearing holes through my jeans begging. I learned how to beg in Mr. Nagasaki's chemistry class at Redlands High too, and I carried on the tradition through college chemistry and physics. Oh man, Amen, I'm glad I'll never have to take one of those kinds of classes again. Aside from those all nighters, I had a good time. So good that I didn't leave Davis after graduating. Then I began teaching in Davis and had the children of some of my old professors. It's pretty tough when you do a parent conference and the parent reminds you of that C- you got in their class way back when.
Brooklyn, Michigan: In case anyone from Brooklyn, Michigan is wondering why I am listed with their high school, it is because I went to ...Expand for more
elementary school up until the third grade with many of the 1967 graduating class. I still think fondly of Brooklyn Elementary and the town. So I inserted myself in the 1967 graduating high school class just to let anyone who knew me know that I am still thinking of them. Every now and then I look at my old 1956-1958 elementary school year books, and I wonder what ever became of those kids I used to play with? It kind of reminds me of a poem I learned: Into my heart a wind that kills. From yon far country blows. What are those blue remembered hills, what farms what spire are those. That is the place of best content, I see it shining plain. The happy highways where I went, but cannot come again. Before you get overly impressed, I have to admit I only know two poems! For those Brooklyn Elementary kids who lost their 1955 and 1956 classroom pictures, I will post them with my photos.
Workplace
My favorite teacher poem is: A teacher is like a candle. He consumes himself to light the way for others. I've tried to live my professional life as a teacher to that standard. Now that all the serious talk is out of the way, it's time to laugh. I heard that poem on a Leave it to Beaver episode...still, it works for me. I've taught 4th grade now for 33 years which is probably appropriate for a guy that couldn't get through college chemistry. They were good years, and I can't think of any job that would have had more charm or been more fun than this one. You can't imagine how much fun a classroom of 9 years olds is, and how endearing their statements. Take for example this one when I showed them my high school picture. "Mr. O, you USED to be SO handsome!" Or when talking about the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, you mention that their abbreviations are UP and CP and half the class cracks up, and the other half doesn't get it. Or, "Why do people damn rivers?" And somebody answers, "Because they were mad at the river?" Teaching is a gas!!!
Military
In college I joined ROTC and almost had to go to Viet Nam, but my lottery number came in at 251 and so I quit ROTC just before the end of my 3rd year. I remember my Professor of Military Science reflecting one day, and he turned to me and said, "You know what Okusako, I wouldn't put you in charge of a classroom of 4th graders!" And that is where I ended up for 33 years.
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Photos
