Mrs. Cantu is a new Math teacher at Smoky Hill. She is replacing a math teacher that had a family emergency to attend to, and could not teach this year. Mrs. Cantu started teaching Mon. Aug, 31, and picked up where Mrs. Howe ( a retired math teacher that was rehired for a few weeks to teach the class) left off.

Kyna Fitzpatrick
As soon as Cantu’s now nine-year-old daughter was born, she knew that she wanted to be a teacher because she didn’t want her daughter spending all of her summers with a babysitter. She took more classes in college, and then went on to become a teacher so that she could spend more time with her daughter.

Before coming to Smoky Hill, Mrs. Cantu lived in a small town in Taos, NM., a rural ranching town that was known for its famous Taos Mountain that attracted skiers to the area. She taught classes in middle school and high school when she lived there. Cantu also taught at the University of Mexico during the summer time.

“ I have taught everything from sixth grade math to Calculus BC.” Mrs. Cantu said.

Having a education is very important to Cantu. She believes that when a person has an education, they become equal and it gives students a variety of different opportunities to look forward to in the future.

“ Education is the most important thing that a person can do in their life, because it gives them choices in their life. And it gives them opportunities that they normally wouldn’t have,” Chantu said. “ It also brings equality. When you have the same education as somebody else, nobody can deny you anything because you are equal to them. You can do exactly what the other person is doing.”

Cantu’s dad served in the military and she soon followed suit and served in the military for 13 years before becoming a teacher. “ I am very disciplined and I am very structured,” Cantu said. “ I like to get a lot of stuff done because school is important and math is important. I like to really teach you guys so you guys can have a lot of opportunities when you grow up.”

Cantu also has a softer side where as long as the students are working and on task it gives her an opportunity to be more relaxed and have more fun in class. “ I like to make class fun, but at the same time you gotta do what I say or you’re going to hate me,” Cantu said.

“ All of you guys are just so nice. You have been good kids, and I like Smoky Hill. I’m glad that I landed here,” Cantu said.