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Roselawn Elementary Ms. Soto takes a moment to ask first-grader Deon Chavez about her morning journal. The topic was a favorite toy, and Chavez drew balloons. Ms. Soto asks how many balloons there are and Chavez counts nine. (One in a series of new school teachers in Artesia.) ARTESIA — Although Olga Soto has been living in the area for 33 years, this is her first year at Artesia Public Schools. Ms. Soto is one of three new teachers at Roselawn Elementary School, and is a first-grade teacher. She was born in Wasco, Calif., but grew up and graduated in Artesia. She received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. She has three children and one grandchild. They are Carlos Soto, 20, and his wife Connie who have a two-year-old daughter named Jannell; Arnold Soto, 17, and Angelica Olguin, 7. Previously, she worked for the Hagerman Municipal Schools from Aug. of 1999 to May of 2003. Her hobbies and extracurricular activities include being a children’s church director and teacher at Forever Free Fellowship. When it comes to teaching, Ms. Soto said, "The ability to shape the future of children is developed through dedication of teachers and schools. I have a strong, positive attitude towards the role teachers and schools play in education in today’s society. It is extremely important to have well trained, dedicated professionals working toward educating our public. "Educating means training and instructing to expand knowledge and develop more proficient skills through love and patience. The future of our children depends on the expertise of educators," she stated. |