<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1jJBfo_1H2cEfHB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1jJBfo_1H2cEfHB00" width="754" height="1137" ></figure>The 2026-2027 school year has brought new faces and opportunities at Loretto Academy, from experienced educators returning to familiar members of the community coming back.As Loretto welcomes these seven educators and leaders, their experiences reflect the different paths that brought them back to education and to the school.Through their background, passion for education and goals for the future, they hope to have a lasting impact in the Loretto community.Mrs. Aguirre: A new purposeOne counselor told Mrs. Aguirre was not “college material”.Years later, she became a counselor herself, determined to make sure her students never felt the same way.Now, after 36 years in education, Aguirre has joined Loretto Academy as its new high school and middle school counselor.Growing up in a lower socioeconomic area of El Paso, she said her counselor was dismissive and didn’t believe students from her community were capable of attending college.“I remember thinking, when I grow up, I’m going to be a high school counselor, and I am not going to be like her,” Aguirre said.Aguirre hopes to use her experiences to encourage Loretto students to believe in themselves and pursue careers they may not think are possible.Mrs. Munoz: A different roleMrs. Munoz, former Student Experience Coordinator, is beginning her first year as the Loretto Academy middle and High School Principal.This year marks Mrs.Munoz 15th year as a principal, in addition to 30 years in education as a whole. Her experience as the Experience Coordinator helped prepare her for the transition.“It gave me a bird’s eye view into the traditions, schedule, and in’s and outs of Loretto- it was a very powerful tool to get me ready for this role,” Mrs.Munoz said.As the year continues, she hopes to ensure that all the middle and high school girls’ needs are met while becoming familiar with teachers as colleagues, not just as a parent.Mrs. Staines: Back with studentsAfter 21 years in education as a math teacher, AVID teacher, Student Activities Director, assistant principal, and principal, Ms. Staines has joined Loretto as the new Student Experiences Coordinator.Previously working as a Student Activities Director, Ms. Staines has experienced every high and lows alongside students, working with them to solve every obstacle faced.Although many students know her through Student Council, her position connects her with every school level as she helps coordinate events, fundraisers and traditions.After spending the last 10 years away from a student-facing position, Ms. Staines said, “It is a blessing to be at Loretto and have the best students.”Mrs. Tovar: Loretto’s new leadershipThe transition of Mrs. Tovar’s leadership from school principal to interim president at Loretto Academy brings a new focus on community, traditions and campus expansions, guiding the academy towards a stronger future.Stepping into the role of interim president brings different responsibilities compared to those of a principal.While a principal focus on day-to-day operations as well as supervising staff, the presidency shifts focus to overseeing the entire campus structure and ensuring the school maintains its identity.Reflecting on past leadership experience, Mrs. Tovar said, “It’s important to emphasize an end goal, and get involved with the community.”Looking toward the future, planning on maintaining traditions while preparing for physical and academic development is in progress.Ms. Pace: A new chapterAfter more than 30 years in education, Ms. Pace has started a new chapter as a world geography teacher at Loretto Academy.Before coming to Loretto, Ms. Pace spent 19 years teaching in public schools, including teaching AP and regular World History at Bel Air High School before retiring from public education.Her teaching style focuses on keeping students involved through activities, discussions and creative lessons.“I don’t like to be bored when I teach,” Ms. Pace said.Before becoming a teacher, she worked at a hospital, coached soccer and raised three children before deciding to attend college.Her path from raising a family and returning to college to spending decades in education reflects a lesson she now shares with her students.Accomplishments do not have to follow a certain timeline.Mr. Brissette: Old classroom, new perspectiveAfter teaching in the EPISD for 30 years, Mr. Brissette was ready to close this chapter of his life spent in education and retire in 2024.However, during spring 2026, a colleague from his past reached out to him about a geometry and pre-calculus teaching opportunity at Loretto.“So I applied, I interviewed, and I got hired right there on the spot,” Mr. Brissette said.While touring the new campus, the chapel was the particular part that stools out to him.Overall, he is most excited to teach and fully live out his Catholic faith. “I would not have chosen Loretto, God had a plan for me, he chose me for Loretto,” said Mr. Brissette. Mrs. Maes: familiar face, new roleFor Mrs. Maes, walking into a Spanish classroom this year meant walking into a role she had never had before, even though the school itself was already familiar.After graduating Loretto Academy in 1991, Mrs. Maes had decided to work as a pre-K teacher aid in the elementary school pursuing her love of education and desire to give back to the community.Since she has worked at Loretto in different positions, she has seen the school from several perspectives, from substituting in classrooms to helping with AP testing and other responsibilities.Her decision to become a Spanish teacher came after Señora Gonzales suggested that she give it a try,“It’s definitely a refresher for me, but I really like interacting with the girls and being able to show them something new,” Mrs. Maes said.Rather than wanting students to remember only the Spanish vocabulary or grammar they learned, Mrs. Maes hopes that they also remember that they could always come to her.“I hope you remember that I’m fairly flexible, that they can approach me for anything,” she said.Together, these seven educators will help strengthen the traditions and community that make Loretto unique while also shaping a new chapter for the academy.</div></body>

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The 2026-2027 school year has brought new faces and opportunities at Loretto Academy, from experienced educators returning to familiar members of the community coming back. As Loretto welcomes these seven educators and leaders, their experiences reflect the different paths that brought them back to education and to the school. Through...

New Faces, new roles at Loretto

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The 2026-2027 school year has brought new faces and opportunities at Loretto Academy, from experienced educators returning to familiar members of the commu

New Faces, new roles at Loretto

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