Fab Educator: Virma Soto
Meet Virma Soto, the second-grade instructional lead at Vista College Prep in Phoenix. Soto is a respected leader on Vista College Prep’s Hadley campus and showcases some of the strongest student achievement across the entire network.
How long have you been teaching? This is my fifth year teaching and my sixth year with Vista College Prep and in education, overall.
What inspired you to be a teacher? Education has always been thought to me to be essential for success for all people. It is critical that all receive an excellent education. Instilling a joy to learning and anchoring a desire to learn is what I have set my heart on. Every child has the right to better themselves and be knowledgeable of what an education can do for them.
What is your greatest joy in teaching? I love seeing scholars feel valued, loved and have students be part of a safe space to make mistakes as we target academics and grow. Our culture is so important in my homeroom of GCU, and I find joy when scholars’ confidence grows.
What about your greatest challenge? My biggest challenge revolves around planning and timing. Although I do believe VCP does give enough prep time, there will always be a need from time to time that drives passionate teachers into digging deeper for their students’ needs and finding gaps that will one day make that difference. Time is our biggest obstacle.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic altered your day-to-day as an educator? Teaching in the pandemic led to a lack of work-life balance. There was so much investment and energy in pushing for scholar achievement in the virtual setting and constantly learning how to do it, that I found myself leaving out time for personal life.
If a student can have only one takeaway from time spent in your classroom, what would it be? Knowing that when they step into Ms. Soto’s classroom, they are always welcomed and know it is a safe space to make mistakes.