Mrs. Schneider is new to ENMU as of the beginning of this semester. Her job consists of caring for the students in the CDC by making sure their needs are met and collaborating with the University students. She helps with the Early Childhood Education students that are getting their degree in working with children from birth through five years old. She also teaches two freshman seminar classes and a community ESL (English as a second language) class on Tuesday nights.

The biggest reward of her job is getting to see how happy the little ones are to see her in the mornings. The biggest challenge was starting the day before the semester started by greeting parents and preparing for the "little students." Before coming to ENMU, Mrs. Schneider lived in Texas where she was a third grade bilingual teacher at Hemphill Elementary school for nine years.

Mrs. Schneider received a bachelor of science in disciplinary studies and a bilingual certification at Texas State University. While there, she was part of the student manager volleyball staff and got to travel with them. She received her master's in teacher leadership at Park University online.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, with her parents and four siblings. Her dad was an electrician and mother was a cafeteria cook. She then moved to San Marcos when she married her husband. They have three daughters, Zoey (ENMU freshman), Lily (junior at Portales High), and Gabriela (3).

Her hobbies include exercising and playing with her three-year-old. She is always trying to find new activities to do and staying active. She recently started running, which she is excited about.

Her future goals include pursuing a doctorate, not quite sure in what yet. As a person of faith, she give thanks for everything that the Lord has given her. She would like to make sure that her girls are successful. She also hopes that they have what they need in the sense of God and their careers while pushing them on the right path.

Although Portales was not her favorite place when they first moved here, it has definitely grown on her. She loves that "everything is five minutes away." She and her husband (who works in the College of Business) try to be involved in as many campus activities as possible.

"I am grateful to be working here and being so close to home, knowing that my family is within the little distance that we have here in Portales," said Mrs. Schneider.