Our People: Sports a passion for teacher

Loretta Vasquez was born a twin and was raised in Roswell. She grew up in a large family with three brothers and six sisters. She said her twin sister was and is her best friend.

She and her family moved to Clovis when she was young. Her father served in the Air Force for 21 years. She had a comfortable childhood where the family would travel a lot and her parents always made sure she and her siblings had what they needed.

She has enjoyed sports most of her life, playing softball and volleyball. She has sold and taken tickets and run clock and scorekeeping for local high school events for 17 years. She said when she started it was to make extra money. It would eventually become a passion for her as she enjoys the environment and the people.

Courtesy photo

Loretta Vasquez is a mother of two and has worked for Clovis schools for 20 years.

Vasquez has worked for Clovis schools for 20 years. She has been certified to teach for 12 years and teaches language arts at Marshall Middle School.

She started at Cameo Elementary as an educational assistant. Before that she was a meat cutter for 13 years.

She is a mother of two and has two grandchildren.

What do you like about teaching?

I like when the light bulb goes off in a student’s head because they finally get it. I like to see the excitement on their faces when they do good on a test.

What don’t you like about your job?

I dislike not being able to help every one of my students all the time. I don’t like not being able to take care of their whatever their needs are outside of school.

What’s your idea of a perfect day?

To see all my students in class excited about learning and at the end of each class knowing that I care about them and their education.

When you were a kid, what did you think you’d be doing as an adult?

It wasn’t teaching kids. I think I always wanted to be a counselor. I had always felt the need to help people.

What is your theme song?

I'm always singing ‘I'm Leaving on A Jet Plane,’ (Peter Paul & Mary, 1970) but my favorite song is ‘See You Again’ by Charlie Puth.

What’s so great about your favorite sport?

Football. When we were little we had a black and white TV and there was not a lot of cable to watch. Dad would watch football when it was cold out. He'd tell us his favorite team was the ones with the stars on their helmets. I've been a Cowboys fan ever since. One year when they went to the Superbowl we had color TV. Dad was really excited and so it soon became a family thing. Every Sunday was about football.

What’s your favorite taste?

Mexican food.

What’s your favorite smell?

Fresh rain. Clean air.

If you could master one instrument, what would it be?

Piano.

Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment?

Raising my two kids as a single mom and getting my master’s degree.

What place would you like to travel to and why?

I would like to go to Japan. That’s where my daughter and grandkids are. Just like any grandma or nana, they are my pride and joy.

— Compiled by CMI Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield