Hello, I'm
Claudia Mendez
and I'm an Early Childhood Educator.
About Me
I believe children need a caring learning community of peace, justice, and love. To achieve this, we must work together with respect, open communication, and discipline.
I believe education needs to be accessible to all who want to benefit from it. It has been my goal to see that every child is provided with the tools needed to succeed.
I am skilled in early childhood education, integration of technology in the curriculum, fiscal management, marketing, and assessment. Although I have been working with the Archdiocese of Chicago for half of my career, my skills are transferable and my dedication towards education is universal.
Career Experience
Second Grade & Kindergarten Teacher
St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy
Chicago, IL
- Developed reading readiness program for kindergarten.
- Team Leader for Science Leadership Initiative with MSI.
- Catechist & sacramental preparation for second grade.
Principal
St. Joseph Catholic School
Summit, IL
- Oversaw daily operations and ensured a safe and conducive learning environment for in-person learning during COVID-19.
Principal
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School
Schiller Park, IL
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to improve student academic performance.
- Updated curriculum to integrate technology for teachers, students, and school families.
- Increased technology infrastructure and strengthened school safety measures.
Principal
Our Lady of Tepeyac Elementary School
Chicago, IL
- Fostered positive relationships with parents, students, and wider community to support school initiatives and enrichment programs.
- Steadily increased enrollment. Secured grants and accessed state or federal funds for academic programs. Increased tuition collection and decreased deficit with strict fiscal management.
- Aggressively sought opportunities to market the school and consistently met fundraising goals.
Kindergarten Teacher, Spanish Teacher, Assistant Principal
St. Bartholomew School
Chicago, IL
- Taught Spanish full-time (2009, 2010, and 2011).
- Taught Kindergarten full-time (2012) and taught Spanish part-time (2012)
- Participated in Big Shoulders Fund Leadership Academy and obtained my Type 75 certification.
- Administrative tasks included meeting with prospective parents, especially Spanish speakers, for registration, tours, and orientation.
Bilingual Coordinator and Preschool Teacher
F. W. Reilly Elementary
Chicago, IL
- Responsible for supervision of faculty, staff, and students enrolled in the Polish and Spanish bilingual programs (2001 and 2002).
- Coordinated standardized testing and local assessments for newcomer and bilingual students.
- Taught Preschool full-time in the Spanish-bilingual program (2003).
Dual Language Teacher
Inter American Magnet School
Chicago, IL
- Taught Kindergarten and Second Grade in a dual-language Spanish- immersion program.
- Co-wrote the Mexican Heritage Curriculum Guide and Spanish Language Arts Scope and Sequence Guide.
- Sponsored extracurricular activities (arts and crafts, folkloric dance).
My Education
Bachelor of Science (BS), Early Childhood Education
DePaul University
Master of Education (MEd), Educational Leadership and Administration
DePaul University
Illinois Type 75 Certification
Educational Leadership
Skills & Technologies
Some of my interests
Pets
Mexico
Movies
