She started as an instructional aide in at Grace Thille School where the “Little Treasures” program started. She had a three-year-old daughter and was asked if she was interested in replacing an aide who was leaving. Two years later it moved to El Buen Pastor Methodist Church and then back to Grace Thille. It’s now adjacent to Barbara Webster School, where it’s been located for 20 years.
“I never thought that this would be my career,” she said. As far as retiring goes, she said she takes it one day at a time and doesn’t plan to retire soon. She said it’s a lot of hard work but she finds it to be rewarding. She’s now getting children of former students in her class, which she co-teaches with Adela Melgoza. They’ve been teaching together for 12 years. Melgoza said Carabajal is a very caring teacher. “I wish I had her energy,” she said.
