Artesians just passed the Artesia Public School mill levy by a huge margin of 9-to-1. This makes Camille George very happy — in fact, she’s estatic! "It’s the largest margin I remember in my 30 years," says the assistant superintendent of APS.

Residents have backed the school mill levy since 1977 — a vote of confidence in the administrators and the teaching staff of the district.

That confidence is well-placed in Camille George.

Beginning her 30th year in education, George is a dynamic champion of both the school children and the teachers of this area.

She is fully engaged and animated as she recounts how teaching methods have evolved since 1967, the year she began her career at APS.

"There have been so many changes — in science, especially. The knowledge has doubled. The children need hands-on experience, in addtion to lectures.

"The history books get thicker and thicker. At Park Junior High, eighth grade history is taught from the beginning of civilization to the Civil War, and the ninth graders study the period from the Civil War to the present.

"...When we were young, teachers mostly lectured and the kids were asked to absorb the information.

"Now, with TV and video games, (catching the attention of children) teachers have changed their style to be more interesting and include more participatory activities."

One example of those activities is the impressive Seventh Grade Science Fair held in January with 224 students entering projects.

George is enthusiastic about her day-to-day duties as assistant supervisor, which are varied and keep her very busy.

One responsibility is to decide, with the expertise of teachers in each subject, what materials will be utilized in the district.

She explains, "Subjects are up for review on a six-year cycle, with the exception of technology, which moves so very quickly, the reviews are more often, but for the other subjects, six years is fine."

How does APS stack up in technology field?

"It’s at the forefront in New Mexico, I doubt that another district has the equipment available to the children that we have.

"Even kindergarten has a computer lab, where they work on an almost daily basis."

George confers on the technologic curriculum with Rex Robinson at the elementary level and Paula Davis at the secondary level.

Another of George’s responsibilities is to assist Superintendent Mike Phipps in the hiring process by interviewing personnel to teach in the district. At the present time, approximately 300 teachers are in the APS system.

Also, George is the test coordinator for the school district. She lists the mandated assessments, including the CTB Terra Nova in grades three through nine each year, the New Mexico writing assessment in grades five and seven, and the newly instituted reading assessment for kindergarten, first, second and third grades.

She is also in charge of professional development. This involves bringing workshops and speakers to the instructors in the district, as well as scheduling attendance for them at seminars and conferences, which helps them grow professionally.

George has served in her present capacity of assistant superintedent for six years. But beyond that, her background in education spans many years and covers many areas.

After graduating from Artesia High School in 1963, George attended McMurray University in Abilene, Texas, where she earned a bachelor’s of science in education and music.

She taught one year in Abilene, then returned to Artesia and APS in 1967-68 as an elementary music teacher. This included traveling to outlying Cottonwood and Loco Hills schools, which are now incorporated into the district.

For the next two years she was the instructor for choir and general music at Park Junior High, where she also handled remedial math. She then went on to teach second grade for two years at Hermosa Elementary.

While her children were small, George took a five year break from teaching.

Upon returning to the schools, she taught fourth grade at Yucca for nine years before being named principal of Grand Heights Early Childhood Center in 1988.

She earned a master’s in curriculum and instruction through New Mexico State University and her administration certificate from Eastern New Mexico University, completing her internship at Yucca.

She was then entrusted with her present position of assistant superintendent for the school district, which encompasses the area from Hope to just this side of Maljamar, from Penasco to the county line. She says, "It’s a very large district with 3,622 enrollment, including the delayed development program at Roselawn School."

George’s concern for the education of our youth even spills over into her personal life.

As president of the board of Artesia Community Concert Assoc., she is especially elated with one of the programs ACC has booked for next spring. It features Civil War songs and readings, including family photos from both sides of the performer’s family.

George beams, "Local patrons are providing funds to Park Junior High so that close to 600 students will be able to attend this program."

A talented musician, George plays piano, organ, clarinet and basoon. She is music director at the First Methodist Church.

She is also a member of Altrusa and sits on the board for the School Empoyees Credit Union

If any free time comes her way, George likes to work in her yard and read historical novels and mysteries.

The Georges’ have two children. Cole and wife, Karen live in Oklahoma where they are both pharmacists. Son, Joel is a third year medical student at Tech Health Science Center. He and wife, CC have two children, ages 2 and 5 months.

George has unquestionably accomplished a great deal during her career in education and has been an asset to the Artesia Public Schools.