Kathleen Ocampo was sworn in by Judge Felix Saavedra on Monday to fill the Socorro School board vacancy after Dr. Michael Hargather stepped down last month. The board had a total of three applicants, including Stephen Rosas, Moi Castillo and Ocampo.
“I feel blessed to have an opportunity to serve current and future students and families in our community at a foundational level. We’ve got great kids, teachers, staff and families in this district. It’s such an important role and I feel up to the challenge,” Ocampo said, “A big thanks to Mike Hargather for his service to our students.”
Ocampo was born and raised in Socorro and graduated from Socorro High School in 1999. She went to New Mexico State University and earned a degree in Special Education from Western New Mexico University.
“I completed my student teaching, then began my teaching career at SMS. My husband got a head coaching job in the Gadsden School District down south, so I taught Pre-k through 8th grade special education in that district. We returned back home and I continued my career at Zimmerly Elementary, Parkview and SMS as a teacher and eventually as a IEP coordinator. I obtained my master’s degree in Special Education in 2009.” Ocampo said.
She also served as the director and developmental specialist in the Alberta House Early Intervention Program, serving babies birth-3 and their families and as a GRADS teacher/ case manager and GEAR UP coordinator at SHS.
The board announced the opening in early May and set a deadline for interested individuals to submit an application and resume. Interviews were conduction May 16 followed by deliberations and a vote.
