LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Monica Soto was nominated by a colleague, Debbie Fant.

"It is with great pleasure that I nominate Mrs. Monica Soto as a LifeChanger award recipient. Monica started an English Language Learner program within the Forest Municipal School District that has spanned over two decades and helped prepare countless students to be successful in the classroom and become productive members of society," said Fant.

"Monica Soto was only 18 when she arrived in the district. She was brought in and trained by the Office of Civil Rights to teach immigrant children English. In the beginning, there were only 28-30 students in need of English instruction. Fast forward to 2023. After years of a constant influx of families coming from Guatemala so the parents could work in the surrounding chicken plants, the English Language Learner population is around 350 students. I asked her how many students she had served in that time. She humbly replies, 'It is in the 1000's,'" said Kant.

"When she and any other interpreter are seated at a table for a registration event or school parent nightline, it is the longest because she is well-known as an advocate for immigrant families. She is now serving second-generation students," said Kant.

"I asked her to describe her favorite aspect of her position as an English language educator. She responded that her biggest reward is sitting at graduation and other awards ceremonies to see her current and former students receive diplomas and awards. She quickly recalled a former student; his frightened mother came to the country when she was seven months pregnant with the child. Monica had tears as she exclaimed that he was now an aerospace engineer. Regarding another former student, she smiled and said that she was pulled over one night but did not get a ticket. Instead, the officer said, 'Hello there, be safe and go along your way.' The highway patrolman was also a former student. Even the secretary of Forest Elementary School is one of Mrs. Soto's former students. This woman has positively impacted so many lives," said Kant.

"I asked her which student or former student stands out in your mind. She described a child who was in this country with his grandparents. He missed his parents; he was frightened, angry, and always in trouble at school. She would make sure she spent time with him daily to encourage him. He is a grown man now with a good job. When he sees Mrs. Soto, his face lights up, and he always tells her she was the 'first person who cared about him.' She had tears in her eyes again," said Kant.

"Monica Soto does not just teach students to read, write, and speak English-she serves the whole family to meet the diverse needs of immigrant families. She served alongside El Pueblo ( a nonprofit organization) for many years to help individuals acquire citizenship. In the school setting, Monica hosts an English Language Learner parent night to explain what resources are available so parents can help their children succeed. Furthermore, she holds a professional development session with the faculty to explain that a child who does not know English can learn, but teachers must make modifications and accommodations for them until these children have had exposure to the English language. Monica provides ways that the faculty can accommodate EL students," said Kant.

"Monica has an ELL team of six currently, including herself. This team assesses the EL students at the beginning of each school year to determine how much of the English language they have acquired. Based on the results of the assessments, Monica creates schedules so that all EL children get services from the EL team each week," said Kant.

"Monica Soto has a true servant's heart, which makes her the epitome of a LifeChanger," said Kant.