My name is Araceli Soto-Kiemele.   I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco / Mexico, and moved to the United States in 1980.  I come from a family of seven, with many uncles and cousins, most who still live in Mexico.  I grew up in Yuma, Arizona and attended the University of Arizona.  I received a Bachelors degree in Bilingual Education and a minor in Spanish.  My Masters Degree is in Educational Leadership from Norther Arizona University.  I taught in Chandler, Arizona for 11 years and this is my sixth year at Centaurus High.

Currently my husband, John, my two teenage step-sons (Matt and Dan) and I live in Longmont.  We also have a beautiful greyhound named Lady and a spoiled Jack Russel named Rusty.  John and I love to travel extensively and enjoy the outdoors a great deal.  

Working at Centaurus has been a highlight in my educational career.  Although most of my experience comes from teaching elementary school, I find that working with young adults is very rewarding.  They love learning in a fun and safe environment where their ideas are respected and their personalities accepted.   I believe that even though their bodies are bigger, their hearts remain tender and eager for acceptance and a desire to succeed.   In my Spanish classes I try to teach not only with my head, but also with my heart.  My discipline philosophy is:  "Responsibility and Freedom Come Hand in Hand."  My students truly enjoy freedom and my trust when they have consistently demosntrated making good choices, doing what they say they were going to do, and finishing what needs to be done.

Centaurus is a wonderful place to be a student and a stimulating environment in which to work as a teacher.  The community is very accepting and supportive and my colleagues are kind and knowledgeable.   I am looking forward to another Colorado Fall and meeting my new students.   Please come and visit the classroom (room 2002).  I would love to meet you and introduce to you Mrs. Corinne Doctor.  She will be a student teacher this year.  Please read her introduction on the Spanish 2 link.   I look forward to seeing you soon and often throughout the year.