From the Desktop of: Mrs. Arras
Socorro High School
2013-2014 School Year
Dear Students and Family,
It is a great pleasure to have you in my class this 2013-2014 Bulldog school year. You will now be playing with the BIG DOGS but don’t let this intimidate you. A person’s freshmen year whether it is high school or college is always the most challenging because you are bombarded with different ideas, opportunities, groups, and of course self-growth. Through out the course of this class you will focus on college readiness—you will personalize your college road map. What can college offer me, who can help me go to college, where will I go to college, why is college important and how will it benefit my future are just some key questions to answer throughout this year. On this note, I would like to let you know a little about myself and how I will help you answer the previous questions.
I am a graduate of Socorro High School and enjoyed every minute of my time as a student here. I was always involved in an activity whether it be STUCO, band, flags, and the Academy of Careers in Education Program (A.C.E.). After I graduated, I went off to college that same summer. I attended El Paso Community College for about two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Texas at El Paso. There, at UTEP, I majored in American Literature with a minor in Education. I loved UTEP! As a little girl, I remember being in the Mother/Daughter program and having to draw myself in the future. Of course, without a doubt, I drew myself as a teacher and here I am today. While attending college, I also worked as a part time tutor. I worked at the Freshmen Initiative Center here at Socorro High School and then tutored ESL adults at our feeder elementary schools. I attended Sul Ross State University where I received my masters as a Reading Specialist. I love to teach and I love what I do; therefore, I hope that you are just as enthusiastic and ready for the year as I am because we have a long winding road ahead of us. We have to be ready for the hurdles, so be ready to take the jump-start.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank-you, the families, of my students for intrusting me with your most value possessions—your children. As an educator, I understand the commitment it takes to guide students through school; however, as a parent, I know that most importantly our children need patience, understanding, and love to guide them through life. You may rest a sure that I am qualified to fulfill the task ahead of me.
The following pages are just some housekeeping that needs to be said and done in order for us to have a exemplary year. As we go through this, please feel free to ask any questions. I do; however, want to for warn you that this might overwhelm you but that is the best part because it means you are getting yourself ready for the year to come. So let’s begin!
Your companion in writing,
______
Mrs. Karen Arras