Meet The Staff – Page 3 – Pueblo High School

New Business Officer Manger…New Coat Of Paint

By Natalie Salazar

Mr. Eli Lopez (standing) with Alicia Santa Cruz.

Students were greeted this school year to several projects—either in the making or completed. One of the most needed was a new paint job at Pueblo’s Business Office.

The idea of repainting this space has “been in the making” for a few years, but the project wasn’t completed until July.

Mr. Eli Lopez, Pueblo’s new Business Office manager, said that the previous manager, Ms. Melina Montiel, had proposed the idea, but the job was not completed until three months ago.

Lopez said, “The compliments of the new paint job have been incredible. This was a project long overdue.”

With the help of a student, sophomore Alicia Santa Cruz [now a junior], who was working with Lopez and the front office at Pueblo High School during the summer, the project was finally completed.

“Painting was a two-person job,” Santa Cruz said, “and it was fun working with Mr. Lopez. In the end, I feel proud that I’m leaving a legacy of my hard work. Every time I walk past the Business Office, I am happy to have been part of making Pueblo shine a little brighter.”

Welcome, Ms. Levine, To Pueblo!

By Alexis Vargas & Emely Villanueva

Pueblo’s English department’s most recent addition, Ms. Lisa Levine, has been enjoying her time as a Warrior thus far, helping to inspire freshmen and sophomores with her love of reading.

Levine’s expertise in various genres of literature can be attributed to her history in the pursuit of higher education.

“I received my bachelor’s degree in comparative literature at University of California, [Berkeley] and a master’s degree at the University of Arizona in creative writing,” she said.

As her passion for writing developed, so did her desire to teach and she began in 2000 as a part-time profession.

“I taught part-time until 2014, and then I started teaching full-time,” Levine said. “In addition to teaching English, I’ve taught reading intervention, all subjects to fourth graders including some creative writing and humanities.”

Living in Sierra Vista, Calif. and New York for job opportunities, moving to Pueblo has been an adjustment for Levine as she describes the connections she has made as “meaningful”.

“[My move to Tucson has been] different,” Levine said. “The people here are amazing! Based on the students I’ve met this school year, I would say my main goal is to generate to students more love of reading and a feeling for what reading can do in their lives.”

Coach Of Sports Or Shoes?

by Alexis Vargas

Coach Daryl Jones is known for having one of the best “shoe games” out of Pueblo’s faculty and staff, but his appreciation for basketball has also been a recognized and inspiring trait.

After his shoe collection began three or four years ago, it has grown to a total of 30 pairs from brands such as Jordan, Nike, and UGG.

“Shoes that are worth the most would have to be either my UGG boots, Jordan 11 Cool Greys, Jordan 11 Gamma Blues, and Jordan 11 Legend Blues,” said Coach Jones.

Jones’ preferred sneaker has transitioned, currently favoring Nike Dunk Lows. He also settled the debate on the best athletic shoe.

Jones said, “I’m biased, so I would say Lebron James basketball shoes but if I’m going to be technical, CP3 basketball shoes are really comfortable.”

While his top shoes hold great value, so do his hopes for this year’s boys’ basketball team, especially with a majority of the team being seniors.

“[We’re aiming for ] the ‘Elite 8’. Obviously, the state championship is always the goal, but I think ‘Elite 8’ is more realistic,” said Jones. “I hope they win the state championship, that would be nice for them.”

New Senior Counselor ‘Digs’ His New Position

By Jose Jovel & Estevan Alvarado

Mr. Jose Alvarez joins Pueblo High School’s staff as the senior class counselor with the weight of their success on his shoulders and much to do in his new position.

Alvarez comes to Pueblo equipped not only with years of high school counseling experience but experience as a clinician and American Southwest archeologist.

“I felt welcomed immediately,” Alvarez said. “Pueblo is different and unique, and I recognized immediately that this school has its own special culture and personality—not to mention a rich community.”

Just before students arrived for the new school year, Alvarez suffered an accident in the auditorium, and he suffered a concussion and whiplash. Nine weeks later, he is still receiving treatment for this incident.

“In spite of the accident, I’ve been working as best as I can at my own pace,” Alvarez said. “If it hadn’t been for the concussion, I would be more caught up with work.”

After several weeks of constant schedule changes for seniors, Alvarez said that he is finally breathing a sigh of relief.

“It has been challenging adjusting seniors’ schedules and to ensure that they are on paths of success,” he said. “There’s no room to make mistakes with students—especially with seniors earning the necessary credits to graduate in May.”

As for the future, Alvarez said he plans to make Pueblo his “second home” and to continue to monitor his seniors’ destiny to graduate in eight months.

He also has a personal connection to Pueblo; Alvarez’ son, Gabriel “Escorpión” Alvarez, is a student here at Pueblo and a member of Mariachi Aztlán.

Ms. Kelly: Welcome to PHS!

by Alyvette Moreno

Ms. MaryAnne Kelly joins Pueblo High School this 2023-24 school year as the new college algebra teacher.

Kelly previously taught at University High School but chose to transition to PHS for the opportunity to teach dual enrollment class, giving students the chance to earn college credit.

Although she is new to Pueblo this is hardly Kelly’s first year as a teacher.

“This is my 39th year teaching,” Kelly said, “but coming to a new school is exciting and challenging.”

She added, “I hope my legacy at Pueblo is that people will remember me fondly and really learn math,” Kelly said.

Kelly comes to Pueblo with an impressive collegiate record…

She has earned many degrees from multiple schools including a Bachelor’s of Arts, a Bachelor’s of Science, a Post Bachelor’s Degree in Math/Science Education, a Master’s in Education, a Graduate Certificate in ED Media, and a certificate in Community College Teaching (Math)—from various colleges, including the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University.

She said that she will be attending online classes studying abstract algebra at the University of Northern Colorado.

Kelly said that she felt the magic of Pueblo High School from the very beginning and added, “My students are personable and don’t give up, and I look forward to teaching math to all of them.”

Ms. Hancock Feeling ‘At Home’ At Pueblo

by Jose Nagore & Julian Tellez

Coming all the way from Tennessee, Ms. Kalen Hancock has joined the Pueblo faculty family as the new science teacher, replacing former teacher Ms. Melissa Espindola who left last spring to pursue another college degree in Chicago, Ill.

Hancock’s classroom, Room 166, may be isolated from most of the other science classes, but she admitted she has felt “an extraordinary” community feel from PHS students and teachers.

“Moving to Pueblo truly felt refreshing,” Hancock. “I love seeing new people and moving into new places. It makes life more exciting. Everybody has been so welcoming to me from the very beginning.”

Hancock earned a degree in social engineering and chemistry, which she said will benefit her students and will support her endeavors as an educator.

“Being at Pueblo this year feels like being a young teacher again,” she said. “I have a lot to teach students here.”

Hancock said that she is proud to report that she has not dealt with any negative student behaviors.

“It’s been nothing but fun so far,” she said. “I have a positive learning environment, and I believe that this trend is going to continue throughout the school year.”

She added, “I love this school’s culture! Everybody is kind, and I just love how immersive the culture is between students and teachers.”