Mayfair Welcomes Mrs. Toruno!

I received an opportunity to interview our new secretary here at Mayfair, Mrs. Toruno. She is among many new staff members working at Mayfair this school year, and I was able to interview her about her personal life and work experience.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

A: I was born in Nicaragua, but I have been here for many, many years, since I was four years old.

Q: When you were younger, what career did you imagine having, and has that changed over time?

A: When I was younger, I wanted to be a lawyer. That is what I aspired to be. But then, of course, it changes as you get older. I believe the change happened when I was in high school, my senior year. I had many ideas for what I wanted to be, but essentially that was not in the list anymore.

Q: What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy doing outside of work?

A: I enjoy hiking, I enjoy reading, and I enjoy painting.

Q: What jobs or experiences did you have before joining Mayfair?

A: Before coming to Mayfair, I worked for the ACT (Adult Community Transition) at Bellflower Unified School District and the BAE (Bellflower Alternative Education) Center.

Q: What drew you to work at Mayfair?

A: Mayfair is close to home with me because I had my nephews graduate from Mayfair; this was back in 2015 or 2014, and I had my daughter graduate here in the class of 2020, along with my son graduating here last year in the class of 2026.

Q: What is your full role and position on campus?

A: Here at Mayfair, I am a clerical 2 (an experienced office worker in a school who handles daily admin tasks with less direct supervision). I am working at the Admin 300 office and supporting them.

Q: What does a typical workday look like for you at Mayfair?

A: I come in, I help with the students, answer their questions, or help with their counselors, and follow up with attendance. But mostly, my role here at Mayfair is going to be independent studies for students.

Q: What is something you wish you had known about this job before you started?

A: I think I pretty much knew what it entailed because I was here previously, not as far as the admin, but I was previously in the reprographics (the internal print shop or office that copies, prints, and binds learning materials for teachers and students), so I know it's busy here; it's a big high school.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Mayfair?

A: Working with the people I work with and the students.

Q: What is one interesting or unexpected fact about you that students at Mayfair might be surprised to learn?

A: Last school year, I was recognized as one of the employees of the year for this school district.

Thank you, Mrs. Toruno, for the opportunity to interview you! We appreciate her taking the time to share a little bit about herself, and I hope to be able to speak to her again. Here’s to a great school year!

Image Courtesy of Ian Collado.