Camacho has been teaching for 10 years and has excellent relationships with her colleagues, students and their parents.
She has been involved in school leadership roles and activities that support student learning and has served as PTSA treasurer for the past three years.
She co-chaired the Math Court academic competition and was one of the coordinators for forensic events and the performing arts.
A child from kindergarten entering first grade might be overwhelmed at first, she said
“They’re scared to be inside the classroom at first and they tend to cry on the first day of class. You need to be ready for everything,” she said.
She helps them be more comfortable so they can be left by their parents and mingle with the other students.
“You have to look through them. You have to have an open mind and a big heart to understand them,” Camacho said.
She considers the children as part of her family.
She knows that first grade may be a challenge for some children so she talks with their parents and let them know the importance of letting the students to be on their own when inside the classroom.
“I observe first. It depends on the mood of the child. My first move is I talk to them nicely and ask them what they want. But I let the parents understand that the kids need to learn their independence in the classroom,” she said.
In the classroom, she reminds the students of their potentials and gives them affirmation especially when they excel in their subjects.
“I always tell them that they are all smart and if they will listen they can understand the lessons. I always keep a positive attitude when dealing with them. The way I talk them, I let them feel good about themselves,” she said.
She teaches reading and math and integrates the other subjects in classroom activities with the help of music, visual learners and other teaching aids.
If a child doesn’t pay attention while in class, she talks to him.
She then gives him responsibilities to encourage participation in school work.
“What I do is I don’t time him out. I assign him as one of the leaders so he learns how it is to be responsible,” Camacho said.
She wants her students to learn independence and responsibility aside from excelling in academics.
Whenever she sees her students moving on to the second grade she is happy and fulfilled.
“Once they finish first grade and I see their improvements, I feel that I’m successful,” Camacho said.
