Meet the Staff

2023-2024
School Year

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.

Yolonda Cline

Librarian/Computer Lab Teacher

This will be my first year in this position. I have an associate degree from Eastern New Mexico University and have spent much of my adult life involved in schools. my late husband was a high school educator and coach for his career. Moving to Jal in 1996, I began working in the oilfield as a field clerk for several companies: Chevron, Fulfer Oil & Gas, Range Resources and Vanguard Natural Resources.

My early education from 6th grade to 11th grade was spent in a private Catholic Boarding School in Burbank, California, called Villa Cabrini Academy. This institution was established by Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I have a great love for exercise, and I am currently working as a part time instructor for New Mexico Junior College for the Adult Aquatics Programs taught at the CORE.

I enjoy working in my yard, spending time at home with my little dog, Sophie, and cooking. I am blessed to have this opportunity to make a difference in the education of our children!

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!!

Janie Gonzales

Preschool 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!

Anakaren Galindo

Kindergarten Teacher

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!

Matilda DelaRosa

Kindergarten Teacher Aide

This is my 1st year at St. Helena School. I have lived in Hobbs since 2008. I have 3 daughters and 3 grandkids that live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I have been married to Ramon DelaRosa for 28 years.

Delfa Tersero

1st Grade Teacher

I was born in Pecos, Texas. I graduated from Pecos High School and attended Odessa Beauty College. I was a beautician from 6 years. After moving to Hobbs, I attended New Mexico Jr. College and received an Associates of Arts Degree. I transferred to College of the Southwest where I received a K-8 Elementary License and a Level 2 Professional B-3 Early Childhood License. I taught First Grade with Hobbs Municipal Schools. After 30 years, I retired to spend more time with my husband, Manuel Tersero. I have 2 sons, Manuel and Gabriel. Both of our sons attended St. Helena Catholic School. I love to teach first grade. I think it is amazing to see the progress a child makes that first year of education. I am honored and excited to experience that and being a part of St. Helena Catholic School. My goal is to create a positive and fun learning experience for my students.

Melissa Morales

1st Grade Teacher Aide

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Marilyn Cereceres

2nd Grade Teacher

I was born in Seminole, Texas but raised in Hobbs, New Mexico. I graduated from Hobbs High School and attended New Mexico Junior College, where I obtained my Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education. I previously attended the University of the Southwest and worked on my bachelor's degree while working for the public schools.

I have worked with various ages from birth through 5th grade. I have a substitute teacher and was also a teacher assistant for Hobbs Municipal Schools and then went to assistant director for a local preschool. Last year, during mass I received a calling to shard some of my knowledge with the community and assisted in Religious Education for Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. I truly believe God is guiding my path to help children grown spiritually and academically and I am looking forward to serving our community.

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.

Tessa Castillo

4th Grade Teacher

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.

I am a graduate of Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics with 42 units in the Masteral's Degree in Management and Supervision and a TESOL certified.

I started my teaching profession in June 2004 at Mary Help of Christians Montessori, Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines. After 4 years of teaching at the private school, I shifted to another job as a Customer Service Representative at HSBC Philippines, but I guess my calling was into teaching, I went back to teaching in August 2012 as an Elementary Teacher at San Nicolas Elementary School for 7 years. I believe that everything is in His perfect timing. In 2019 a big opportunity opened up for me to teach here in the United States. I taught at Raymond Sarracino School for 3 years in Socorro, New Mexico. I traveled thousands of miles for this great, new, and challenging experience. God brought me to the place where I met lots of wonderful people and my loving husband and his family.