Photo credit: Amy Paz-Rojas

Facilities member Marta Sorto poses for a photo. Sorto joined the Archer staff in 2023 and said she enjoys Archer’s ideas. ” Every time they remove something, it is because there are new ideas, and they are better, and that is important,” Sorto said.

Editor’s note: The interviews with Martha Sorto and Karla Amaya were conducted in person and translated from Spanish by reporter Amy Paz-Rojas.

When entering the restroom, students get the whiff of cleaning solution and rarely see trash on the floor. They may wonder who keeps the floors clean.

Facilities staffer Martha Sorto has worked at Archer for two-and-a-half years. Sorto worked for a family as a caregiver from 2007-2023, until the person she was taking care of passed away. Sorto has no previous experience working at a school.

She began working at Archer after fellow Archer staff member Monica Riberi recommended her. Sorto said she never thought she would start working for Archer because of her lack of experience, but she is happy to be here.

Sorto takes care of any cleaning emergencies that occur at Archer, including anything that breaks, spills or is a safety precaution. Facilities co-worker Karla Amaya said Sorto’s personality shines through her work.

“She is persistent, she is like, ‘I can do this,’ even if she is sick,” Amaya said. “She is very positive and very strong.”

Amaya and Sorto have been working together for two years. Despite not having been close in the beginning, Amaya said they have grown closer through their work together.

“It is not a good or bad thing. There were moments in the beginning where we had a different mentality and different ideas,” Amaya said. “We had to work it out together, we have gotten to the point of being on the same page.”

Even though it is her first time working with a partner, Amaya said Sorto makes it enjoyable.

 “I like working with her,” Amaya said. “My team is a very good team.”

Facilties Manager Enrique Montoya said she goes above and beyond in her work. He said she brings a lot of joy to the facilities team at Archer.

“As a person, I think she’s driven, very energetic, and she loves to go the extra mile with all the work that she’s doing,” Montoya said. “She’s always asking for extra things that she can do. It’s a pleasure to work with her.”

Seeing the different personalities in student age groups is one of Sorto’s favorite things.

“I see different personalities and different ages. I can see here, there are students at different stages of life, grades six through 12,” Sorto said.

Sorto said summer break is one of the saddest times for her.

“I have to clean around campus, and the school is so silent,” Sorto said.

Outside of Archer, Sorto enjoys her free time with her family’s company; she enjoys cooking for them and likes to see the expression of happiness on family members’ faces when they try it. Sorto takes time off her work to go check in on her son. She prioritizes balancing her work and family life and she appreciates those small moments with her son.

“Here, the season of my work is year-round,” Sorto said. “The most time I spend with my son is on vacations and festive days that we share. I have a 16-year-old son, and his name is Jefferey. I go to his events or I ask permission from work to go see his events because he also needs my time.”

Overall, Sorto said she enjoys her job and loves the environment at Archer and helping out the community. She also talked about the impact Archer has had on her life and she said she always comes to work motivated and ready to start the day.

“Archer has given me the opportunity to work,” Sorto said, “which has changed me overall economically.”

Sorto likes the events taking place at Archer. She likes how they change and are different each time.

“Every year, I am always intrigued to see what else Archer is doing because every year there is something new,” Sorto said. “There is always new creativity at Archer.”