The fifth grade has a new first year teacher, but she isn’t new to Patagonia Elementary. Priscilla Carrasco has been working at the school for three years now, and she is extremely pleased to have her own classroom this year.
Carrasco started as a paraprofessional, and then last year worked as the pre-K instructor. This is her first official year as a teacher. She is excited about working with the fifth grade.
“I completely fell in love with the kids and curriculum,” she said. “They are just getting smarter and the teaching is so rewarding.”
Originally from Rio Rico, Carrasco moved to Patagonia after high school. She was encouraged to apply for a position at the school by her partner, who is a Patagonia Union High School graduate, and Anna Coleman of the Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center. Carrasco got the job, and that job eventually led to the opportunity to continue her education and become a teacher.
“I feel like I am living the American dream,” she said. “One thing I really like about Patagonia is how open and welcoming everyone has been, not just at the school. Everywhere we go, people here know my daughter [Mylah, age 3], and talk to her. I am imagining how nice it will be for my daughter to go to pre-school here.”
Coleman, runner-up for Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year last year, is pleased that Carrasco followed through on her suggestions.
“While I watched Priscilla work with youth at the youth center and got to know her quite well, I had no hesitation recommending that she pursue her teaching degree and apply to the local schools,” Coleman said. “She is dedicated and passionate about young people, recognizing their potential, and holding them to high standards, while working at their own academic levels. Priscilla believes in youth and I foresee her doing great things in the education field.”
Patagonia Schools Superintendent Kenny Hayes agrees with Coleman. “Priscilla told us in the interview process three years ago that she wanted to be a teacher someday,” Hayes said. “She has worked very hard to get to this point and I believe that she is going to have a long and successful career at the Patagonia School Districts.”
Carrasco is teaching at the school as part of the Arizona Pathways certification program, which allows individuals to teach while completing college requirements for a full Arizona Standard Professional Teaching Certificate.
“It is a great program,” Carrasco said. “I am planning on getting my Master’s degree after I finish my Bachelor’s, which is coming up real soon.”
Carrasco’s classroom is alive with color and student projects. She believes in keeping the kids active and engaged.
“This is my third year, and I’ve known the fifth graders since they were in third, so it has been really nice—it’s also been challenging because now I’m not the ‘fun aide,’ I am the teacher,” she said. She laughed and quickly added, “They are a great group, and I still let them call me Miss Priscilla.”
Carrasco appreciates all the opportunities she has had over the last few years.
“Patagonia has definitely challenged me in a good way to bring out the very best of me,” she said, smiling broadly. “And it’s taught me patience.”