Dolores Yorba
Kindergarten Aide
My name is Dolores Yorba and I was born in the big city of Los Angeles but grew up in San Juan Capistrano, CA starting at the age of 8. I attended classes at the historic Old Mission Catholic School where my passion for religion grew. I dedicated my school studies to business, bookkeeping, office and financial management including shorthand that awarded me a scholarship at the time of graduation but due to financial hardship, I elected to enter the work force to help support my mother and brother. I took the position as Office Manager at the Ford Motor Co. dealership in San Juan Capistrano and it was there that I met and worked alongside with the love of my life for several years.
In 1967, we moved to Cottonwood, AZ. which allowed me 15 years to stay at home and lovingly raise and oversee our family of eight children. When our youngest twin girls were of school age, I began to pursue my love of helping children learn and grow. I started with the only position available at the Cottonwood School District as a dishwasher in 1982 to get my foot in the door. Time and dedication paid off when in 1985, a position in the special education department opened and my dream of being a teacher’s aide became a reality for three rewarding years. The following year the opportunity arose and I moved into the administration office and spent the rest of my career as the Attendance Secretary and Registrar working under 12 different Principals. After 26 years of serving for the Cottonwood Oak-Creek School District, I retired to care for my husband whom I dedicated 50 years of marriage to.
In April 2013, I felt a strong desire to return to be around children in a school setting. As fate would have it, Father David introduced me to Merrily Pychinka, the Business Manager at that time for St. Joseph’s Catholic School, who would also become and is still my very dearest friend. I began to volunteer with her in the office and as a committee member for the annual Wings & Dreams School Fundraiser. In 2014 I was offered a position as a teacher’s aide for preschool. I am currently now the teacher’s aide for our Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Mooney.
My faith keeps me moving forward and I thank “Our Lord” for the gift he gave me of helping children. If I can make a difference in one child at a time, I will smile knowing my Lord listened and answered all my prayers.
Blessings to All
