Andrea Baker - Kindergarten
I graduated from NMSU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. I am currently attending NMSU for my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. I have been teaching for over six years and I enjoy the new experiences I share with my students every day. The eager looks on their faces motivate me to want to do my very best to teach them something new. One of my favorite quotes is by Malcolm S. Forbes and is as follows, “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” I find this so true with impressionable young minds, which is why I chose to teach younger children. I would like to play a key role in helping children form a positive attitude and open mind through education. With those two qualities coupled with a good education, I feel a child’s potential is infinite. I have a love for books and reading, something I hope to pass on to my students.
http://msbakerskinderclass.webs.com/
Melia Borrego - 2nd grade
I graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachlors Degree in Elementary Education. I am from Santa Fe , New Mexico. I have been teaching at Las Cruces Catholic School since 2008. I have taught 4th grade and currently teach 2nd grade. I enjoy teaching and learning from my students. I am very blessed to be a part of the LCCS community! http://msborregossecondgradeclass.webs.com/
Carmen Carreon - 2nd grade
I began teaching at Las Cruces Catholic School in 2009. The previous year I substituted at LCCS. I worked as an instructional aide in California for fifteen years and taught for two years. I received my degree from California Polytechnic University Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). My favorite bible verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. –Proverbs 3:5-6
www.mrscarreons2ndgradeclass.webs.com
Nelson De Jesus - 5th grade
I have been teaching 5th grade since 2002. I am originally from East Harlem, New York. I enjoy teaching as I feel it is the most important job in the world. I strongly believe education propels students to achieve any goal they wish to accomplish. I am an avid learner which I appreciate every single day. I desire every student to take what they have learned in our classroom academically or socially to utilize those skills and have those experiences be useful outside the classroom. I love sports, Scrabble, fashion, travel and watching students grow intellectually. I am very grateful to be here at this wonderful institution.
Ron Garcia - Physical Education
I have been blessed to be able to teach for 33 years. I began teaching at Las Cruces Catholic School in 2005. My favorite thing about teaching is watching the students that I have taught mature and grow up to make good decisions and develop a sense of pride in what they accomplish. I have a teaching and coaching license for the state of New Mexico. I have coached middle and high school track, along with middle school football, wrestling, basketball and track. I am a certified middle school and high school track referee. My accomplishments range from coaching city champions in t-ball, 8th grade football and track, and state high school track champions.
Janet Hain - 1st grade
I have taught in Texas and California as well as New Mexico, from pre-school to 8th grade levels, in both Public and Private schools. I have B.S. and M.A. degrees in Education. I have two children, Alexandra and Christian. I have had so much fun with kindergarten and I’m very excited about teaching first grade. I enjoy working with the younger kids and especially beginning reading. It has been a pleasure to teach so many siblings and to stay in touch, as they get older. I like the small, family atmosphere we are able to have at this school. Some of my other interests are reading, gardening, hiking, needlework and all kinds of music and art.
Rebecca King - 1st grade
I am a native New Mexican. I have been teaching for over 30 years and have taught kindergarten and 1st grade. I began teaching at LCCS in 2005. I have a daughter, Emily, who has just finished nursing school and a son, Dusty, who is currently in the welding program at Dona Ana Community College. Awards that I have received include 1st place in the NM Research and Study Council, 1995 Quality Education Award, Mesilla Valley Character Counts Award in 2003, and I was inducted into the NEA-NM State Hall of Fame in 2009. I have 2 dogs and 2 cats. My hobbies include teaching a Pilates class and attending yoga and Jazzercise classes. I enjoy gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, and dancing.
Sharon Trujillo-Kolosseus - Music
I love music! I have been teaching band since 1998. I have taught religious music, beginning, intermediate, and advanced band, and praise band. I have also taught high school marching and concert band in Albuquerque before moving to Las Cruces in 1991. I have 3 children all attending LCCS and a wonderful husband who is a doctor here in Las Cruces. I earned my BA in Music Education from NMSU. I am a huge Aggie fan, and I especially love The Price Marching Band! I have been blessed, to be sent here, to teach the subject I love. The program has grown every year and I pray that it continues to grow and prosper in the years to come. I also pray that we continue to do all this in His name, and for His glory!
Rosamargarita (Rose) Palacio - Fine Arts
I graduated from New Mexico State University with a double major in Theatre and English, with extensive hours in dance. I have written, produced, and starred in many Theatre productions. I have also choreographed and danced in many dance production. I love being creative at all possible times, and I am currently blessed to be doing all that I do best and love the most! For the 2009/2010 school year I am the fine Arts teacher, Dama teacher, Drama for film, and assistant to Video and Production. I am happy to share my artistic background with the students of Las Cruces Catholic School in the hopes that they will take it all in and create.
Nancy Rede - 4th grade
I have been at Las Cruces Catholic School since 1999. These years have given me the opportunity to teach many of the children from families who have been a part of our school for a long time. I love teaching the brothers and sisters of the students. I love having the opportunity to work with parents again (and again)! LCCS is a home of faith, love, and learning. It is an honor and blessing to teach here. Besides teaching, I love rainy days, walks in the mountains, and playing the guitar. I have a son and a daughter.
Erika Romero - 3rd grade
I graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor's of Individualized Studies with my course work in education and Spanish. I am looking to graduate fall 2010 with my Master's Degree in Cirriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Elementary Education. I have been teaching at LCCS since 2006. I taught preschool for four years. I truly enjoy teaching and being a part of the LCCS family.
Lorraine Sanchez - 3rd grade
I am originally from Denver, Colorado and moved to New Mexico in 2002. I am happily married and am the mother of two incredible boys. My previous job experiences are in the areas of law enforcement and quality assurance. I received my undergraduate degree in physical geography from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I subsequently received my license to teach elementary education from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am currently working on my Master of Science in Special Education. I enjoy reading, yoga, cooking, hiking, and spending time with my family. I love teaching because I learn something new about myself everyday without fail. I also feel very privileged to be a daily part of the lives of such extraordinary students.
Catherine Portillo - Library/Computers
I was born in Pennsylvania, and moved to New Mexico in 1974. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. I also earned 30 graduate credits in Elementary Education from the same university. I attended NMSU where I earned my Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology. I have taught in the East Pennsboro School District, Gadsden Independent School District, Las Cruces Public Schools, Gym Magic’s preschool – which I designed and directed, NMSU, and here at Las Cruces Catholic School. I have taught Preschool through 5thgrade. My favorite teaching moments are when a child realizes that they are a reader. I have supervised middle school and high school students at Gym N Fun, a summer camp at Gym Magic. I have also supervised student teachers for NMSU. I am the proud mom of two daughters and a foster son. I love children, dogs, dancing and auto racing. My fiancé, Sal, and I enjoy dancing and attending the car races. For the 2009-2010 school year I am the Library and Computer Lab teacher. I am excited about integrating the two areas into a vibrant, dynamic media center.
Margaret Torres - Spanish/Music/Religion
I have been teaching Spanish at Las Cruces Catholic School since 2004. I am also teaching 1stgrade religion. I have been teaching for 33 years. Before I retired from the Las Cruces Public Schools I taught at Dona Ana Elementary, East Picacho Elementary, andVista Middle School. My husband Lalo and I have four daughters and 1 granddaughter. I enjoy reading and exercising and being with my family. I am blessed to be at LCCS!
Adelina Viramontes (Nina) - Kindergarten
Before I came to Las Cruces Catholic School I taught for many years in Deming, NM. I have taught 1st and 2nd grade but most of my career has been in Kindergarten. I began teaching at LCCS in 2005. My favorite part of teaching is the kids! My husband is an educator, our daughter is a drama teacher and our son is in advertising. Thanks for the opportunity to teach at the fine school.