Part 1

Project Commotion’s roots come from a deep connection with my mother’s work in México City/Distrito Federal where I grew up. My mother, Imelda Virginia Olguín Delgado, was an elementary school teacher who loved working with the children who no one else wanted in their classrooms. She was able to listen and give quality time to support children's necessities and abilities to achieve their greatest potential. Growing up observing my mom’s passion for helping children, I saw, felt, and experienced her ability to adapt to each child's needs in her classroom of 25-30 students. She worked with children who were not successful in their classrooms, making my mother's classroom the last option before getting expelled from school. These children could not function in their classroom, so their teachers sent them to my mother. Her coworker's struggles made my mother famous with “troubled children.” 

These “troubled children” were not understood by their teachers due to their many different behaviors, levels of activity, and lack of concentration which made them fall behind in their academics. Mother would bring these children, including me, to her classroom to work one on one with us; her classroom was full of energy and colors, activities, and movement. Her students were allowed to move around to find a place where they felt comfortable working (tables, desks, floor) in her classroom. Her classroom environment was warm to all children; you felt the warmth as soon as you crossed the door. The environment facilitated the feeling of calm and relaxation, so children could adapt to the classroom fast. My mother was warm and open to adventures, and she would have children working with her at her desk, having conversations or asking questions all day long. Growing up with a mother like mine was an absolute gift from the Universe, which allowed me to be ME. I grew up with love, respect, and a family that banded with me in my endeavors as a young child. Having that experience, I explored my country from an early age, learning that love, respect, and hard work could get you far. 

Moving to San Francisco in December of 1994 was one of my biggest adventures so far, one that would challenge me to never forget my ROOTS. Those roots grew many branches that spread far and wide when I was gifted the opportunity to develop a program that supported children with special needs. The passion for the well-being of children runs through my veins as a heritage and as an experience. The new modality of therapeutic movement and sensory integration I developed for Project Commotion was from the child's perspective (mine), in order to serve children of all abilities (many like me). Project Commotion's beginning is based on love, understanding, and the opportunity to become ourselves. 

Part 2 coming soon!