This month, we are fortunate enough to have not one but two staff members recognized for their amazing contributions to our school.  Mrs.  Garcia and Mrs. Castañon are essential to our school community and have significantly contributed to improving our school culture.

Mrs. Castañon has not been here long, but she already has made a lasting impact.   An interesting fact about her is that she attended South El Monte High School.  “I was really shy as a student” is how Mrs. Castañon describes herself.  When she was young she aspired to be a police officer.    When she is not at work she enjoys spending her time at the beach. What she enjoys the most about SEMHS is “the students”.

One of the cornerstones of our community is none other than Mrs. Garcia.  For 16 years, she has tirelessly put our school first and has helped students reach their potential.  “I love being part of this community.  Serving others is what I am all about and I have always wanted to give back”.   Our school is fortunate to have such a wonderfully kind and caring person to lead the attendance office.

However, after just sitting in her office for a few minutes, it is clear that Mrs. Garcia is much more than an attendance coordinator. Just within a few minutes, nearly 10 students came to her office. She welcomed all of them with a warm smile and some kind words.  When she is not at work she enjoys shopping and spending time with her family, which are her “everything…her purpose”.

Her heroes are her parents who immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico in the 1960s.  Her father came to the United States through the Bracero Program.  This was a program that was used by the US government to hire temporary workers from Mexico.  Mrs. Garcia attended Mt. View High School and considered herself a “nerd athlete”.

Congratulations to Mrs. Castañon and Mrs. Garcia for being honored as the staff members of the month.