Maria Josefina Vargas is married and has 3 wonderful boys, Edward Jr, Emilio, and Esteban.  She graduated from Western International H.S. and attended Madonna University for about 2 years.  She is currently finishing her schooling to receive a teaching degree, with WCCC and Wayne State University. She didn’t always want to be a teacher, but when she started to see the difference that one person could make in a child’s life, it was an eye-opener for her.  Now teaching and working with children are her passion. This is her 5th year here at H.O.D.A., but her 12th year working as a paraprofessional in education.  She has had the privileged of working in Kindergarten for the past 4 years, but this year she is part of the RTI Team (Response to Intervention).  To be part of this intervention is exciting, because now she will be able to make a difference in ALL student learning.  She strongly believse that working together with parents and teachers, modeling success and having high expectations for our children, they will become successful in all that they do.  There are some activities that she loves to do when she is not here at H.O.D.A., which are Zumba, walking, sports, singing, spending time with my friends, and most of all being with my family.