Meet the Staff

Estela Carrillo

Principal

I am a Hobbs Native even though I was born in Seminole, Texas. I attended St. Helena Catholic School 2nd – 6th grade. I attended public education and I graduated from Hobbs High. After graduation I attended New Mexico Junior College and received an Associates of Arts Degree. I then went to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales and received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with emphasis in Bilingual Education. I continued my education and received a Master’s Degree in Education with emphasis in Bilingual Education from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. I returned to Portales, NM and received an Administration Degree. Throughout the years following I obtained 45 hours over my Master’s Degree from different universities including New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM, Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, and La Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain.


I have two grown children, Xochitl Thomas and Xavier Carrillo, who followed my footsteps by attending St. Helena Catholic School and also by obtaining college degrees. Presently my two grandchildren, Xuri a 4th grader and Jaxon a 2nd grader attend St. Helena Catholic School. I can proudly say that we are a three generation St. Helena Catholic School Family.


I have 35 years of experience in public education. I worked as a teacher and principal for the Hobbs Municipal Schools for 25 years. I worked as a teacher and assistant principal in Artesia. I worked in Gallup as a principal for six years. I taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Southwest for five years teaching Bilingual Education Courses.


I love to travel and meet people. I have traveled to Spain, the Netherlands, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and 22 states. I love being part of St. Helena Catholic School where we strive to foster good values, morals and the love of God in all of our children.

   

Anita Richardson

Secretary

I am married and have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. I attended St. Helena School from 4th grade through 6th grade and both of my daughters graduated from St. Helena School. My grandchildren currently attend in 2nd grade and Pre-school. We currently are 3 generations that work and attend school here. 


I started with St. Helena School in 1994 as a Kindergarten Aide, religious education teacher, liturgy coordinator and secretary. After 12 years at the school, I transferred to St. Helena Church and I was the Director of Religious Education, RCIA, and Life Teen youth group. I worked for St. Helena Church for 5 years.


I went to work as a secretary for the Hobbs Municipal Schools for 5 years. I came back to work at St. Helena School and currently employed as the secretary. I have 30 years as a secretary and educator.

Monika Botello

Office Assistant

I was raised in Hobbs, NM and I am an alumnus of St. Helena School, Pre-K through 6th grade. I was an active teen in the church as an Altar Server, participated in the Circle of Friends Youth Group and sang in the Youth Choir at the Youth Mass on Sunday evenings from 1998-2004. I graduated from Hobbs High in 2004 and graduated in 2006 from Kaplan College as a Registered Medical Assistant.


My husband and I have been married for 16 years and have two teenage children and five dogs. Although my background has been in the medical field, I was blessed to have been able to return back to St. Helena School in 2021!

Antonia Ramirez

Custodian

I was born & raised in Valle Hermoso Tamauplipas, Mexico. I moved to Hobbs when I was 44 years old. I have been married for 48 years. My husband and I have 4 children and 9 grandkids, which 5 of my grandchildren attended & graduated from St. Helena School. I have been an active parishioner of St. Helena Catholic Church since 1974. 

I started working at St. Helena School in 2007, this is my 16th year. I love being around all the children & watching them learn about God. 

Karyn Tremblay

Librarian/Computer Lab Teacher

I grew up in Florida and attended St. Petersburg College, where I graduated with a degree in web development. I loved the challenge that computers and coding gave me. Reading was always my favorite pastime since I was a child so when I had an opportunity to combine both computers and my passion for books into one job, I knew I had to take it. My mother owns a daycare, so I was used to being in a "teacher" role and would fit right into St. Helena's media specialist position.

Rosa Torres

Preschool Teacher

I have been a Pre-K teacher for 22 years. I have also been a teacher at St. Helena School for 9years. I have a Certificate in Early Childhood Education, Certificate of Completion NMEC, Education & Family Support Vocational Program, various numerous trainings in Early Childhood Education. I am also CPR-First Aid Certified. I love my job!!

Anakaren Galindo

Preschool Teacher Aide

 I was raised in Hobbs. I graduated from Christian Academy in Carlsbad. I am married and I have 3 boys. Soccer practices and games, is where I spend my time. I am really excited to be here at St. Helena School and learn more about teaching!

Perla Sandoval

Kindergarten Teacher

I have been part of St. Helena since my early years. It was never "Are we going to church" but "When are we going to church." I participated in Life Teen, I was lector during mass, and was also a Youth leader from 2014-2017. I started teaching at St. Helena in 2018. I taught 2 years of Pre-k and have started my second year in Kindergarten. I am currently going to school to earn my degree in Early Childhood Development. I love my job!  

Niatalie Brock

1st Grade Teacher

This is my 2nd year teaching at St. Helena Catholic School. I am on my 16th year teaching. I have a Masters in SPED (Education), Level 3-A SPED Pre-K through 12 in NM and a Bachelors in Psychology. I have a 10th grade son & a husband who is in his 2nd year as an educator in middle school.

Janie Gonzales

1st Grade Teacher Aide

This is my first year teaching at St. Helena School. I have lived in Hobbs since 1950. I have 3 children, 7 grand children and 6 great grand children. I am very active and I love to be around people and meeting new people. First thing in the morning, I pray for the day, have my coffee and get ready. I never leave the house without my makeup on. I enjoy doing yard work, shopping and good food ! I love being around my family and have family gatherings. I am very kind, grateful, very patient, easy to get along with and I LOVE THE LORD! 

Nora Cerna

2nd Grade Teacher

I graduated from Hobbs High School in 1994, I received my Associates in Arts, on May 19, 1997 through NMJC. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Science in 2004 through USW. I furthered my education with my Masters degree and accomplished it in May 5, 2007. I obtain my Masters program and graduated with a Master of Science in Education. This is my 10th year teaching and my 6th year at St. Helena Catholic School. I have also served 18 years teaching/involved in catechetical instruction. I speak English & Spanish. 


I have been married for 25 years with 5 children and 7 grandbabies! I enjoy teaching the word of God, ACTS retreats & helping my community. God is good!!

Mayra Brown

3rd Grade Teacher

I am a first year teacher, but a lifetime learner. I attended St. Helena Catholic School all throughout my elementary. When I graduated high school, I became really involved in the St. Helena Catholic Church youth group , and from there I served as the youth minister, then became the Director of Religious Education. I also have served as the secretary here at SHCS, and I am very happy to a part of the St. Helena School family once more but now as a teacher.

Veronica Silvey

4th Grade Teacher

I was born and raised here in Hobbs, NM and have been a member of the St. Helena Catholic Church community for most of my life having been baptized, received my First Holy Communion and Confirmation. As a little girl, I attended St. Helena Catholic School from 1st grade through 4th grade. I have three sons who have all attended St. Helena School, and I am happy to return as a 4th grade teacher. I have an Associate of Arts from the New Mexico Junior College. Throughout the years, I have been an elementary substitute teacher when just last year it was brought to my attention that I may have missed my calling. Knowing how God Works in mysterious ways I have opened myself up to a new opportunity to give back to our community filling in where there is a need and helping enrich the lives of our children.  

Leigh Ann Clemons

5th Grade Teacher

A Texas native, Dr. Clemons holds a BFA in Theatre from Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX; a BA in German from Texas State University; an MA in Theatre from Kent State University; and a Ph.D. in Theatre, History minor and German language concentration from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has worked in public and private education at the elementary, secondary, undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Clemons is a published author of scholarly books, articles, and poetry, and she has worked in professional theatre and television as a writer, director, and lighting designer. At St. Helena Catholic Church, she serves as a cantor and member of the choir and as a sacristan for Daily and School Mass.