Support Ms. Soto!

Hi, my name is Mikel Herb. I have worked with Carol Soto at Sanford Middle School for 7 years and wanted to start this campaign for her family as she goes through her fight with a cancer diagnosis.

Ms. Soto's official title at Sanford is "Restorative Advocate." Her unofficial title is "Matriarch of Sanford." She is the staff member students encounter when they run into snags during the day. Whether they seek her out to talk about their troubles or their actions through the day draw her attention, she has always focused on making sure our students are safe and feeling welcomed at Sanford. She has that keen sense of knowing when a serious tone is needed and when she can throw a little lightheartedness into a situation to help deescalate. When Ms. Soto is in the hall or out on recess duty, kids just flock to her.

During the long winter months when getting outside for a little recess after lunch is very difficult, we can always count on Ms. Soto to bring some fun to the lunchroom. She brings kids to the mic to sing Happy Birthday to their friends; sometimes there are dance contests, sometimes she takes a collection from staff to buy prizes and holds game shows for the kids. She is always trying to think of ways to bring some fun into school to break up the monotony the kids tend to feel they face each day. She succeeds.

Ms. Soto has been working for Minneapolis Public Schools for more than 20 years spending time at Waite Park and Green Central before coming aboard at Sanford. In her earlier years she served in the United States Army. She is the mother of 3 adult children and has 9 grandkids including twin babies born just last year that, when asked about them, made her eyes sparkle on some of the hardest days.

Last school year she was THE only Restorative Advocate in a school that generally needs at least 2 but has traditionally had 4. Anyone doing the job of 4 people will be run ragged, pushed to exhaustion, worn out etc etc.. The toll that being pushed daily like that takes on one's body is immeasurable. Ms. Soto was looking forward to this 2023-24 school year to be her retirement year.

In early August Ms. Soto got the bad news. Testing found a cancerous mass in her body that must be surgically removed. Soon after, there were concerns from further testing that led to the need for a second surgery when her body has recovered enough from the first operation. The recovery from both procedures will leave her on a medical leave for at least 12 weeks, depending on how her healing goes. Unfortunately, due to the intensity of the last school year, Ms. Soto has a tiny fraction of the PTO needed to cover the time she will need to be out. Additionally, there is not currently an option for other staff to donate PTO hours to help her out.

Ms. Soto's family will be without her income for an expected minimum of 12 weeks. There is a deductible to cover, the extra expense that comes with their missed work while they help care for her, accessing conveniences such as meal & grocery delivery. Additionally, she will need to cover several other expenses related to health insurance costs. A goal of $55,000 is set to cover all of that plus any unexpected expenses. This goal may evolve as necessary.

I am putting the ask out to all in our community to support this beloved matriarch, ESP union member, former military member, mentor, enormously hearted and much respected educator. I believe we can reach this goal through the many lines of our community connected to Ms. Soto: family, friends, colleagues, MPS parents, union members, former students, any one this story reaches- please support Ms. Soto in this fight and recovery as fiercely as she has supported our students.